Knock Three Times - phan

Epilogue

“What the fuck?!” Dan screamed.

PJ’s eyes were wide as he took in the scene in front of him.

Dan and Phil were writhing on the floor in tears, clutching at each other and shaking amidst a pile of assorted vegetable knives. The hall was lined with tiny tea light candles like landing lights on a runway.

Phil was pale and red eyed as he stared up at PJ with reproach in his eyes, a huge rip down the front of his pyjamas from where Dan had torn at him.

“Seriously PJ. I hate you. What the hell is going on?”

PJ scratched his head, staring down at the mess with concern in his eyes.

“I was filming the guys on the other side of your apartment, they’ve got the most insane Halloween set up - there’s lights and cobwebs and so much stuff all the way up the side of the building and they’re putting on like a show, amazing costumes seriously you guys have to check it out! But I cut my finger and it was bleeding all over my camera so I called you to let you know I was coming for a plaster, you know, so I didn’t interrupt anything? But like, I was running so I couldn’t exactly stop for a chat. You never said anything so I kept ringing – sorry about that I was just paranoid that you wouldn’t be expecting me and you’d answer the door naked or something. I have a key from when I house sat last month, remember? I mean clearly I came at the wrong time. What the hell were you doing?! Why are all the lights out? And what’s with the candles and knives? Is this some kind of ritual or something because...”

“The lights went out by themselves that’s why we had the candles!” Phil said defensively.

PJ ran his fingers through his tousled hair. “It’s probably those guys, they’ve got loads of lights up I bet they’re draining the power. But you know, you could have kept trying. I mean clearly they’re working now.”

“Yeah but we thought we were about to get murdered by some crazy bleeding axe murderer who could apparently walk through locked doors.” Phil growled.

Dan was still on the floor, slowly fighting to regain his composure and muttering a stream of expletives under his breath.

“I thought I was possessed.” He hissed.

PJ raised his eyebrows and smothered a snort.

“Wow guys. Why didn’t you just go out for dinner or something if the electricity was going? You knew I was coming to see you tonight anyway, we could have got pizza.” He shook his head in disbelief.

Dan pulled himself slowly to his feet with a groan.

“Jesus Christ. I was a complete mess, fucking horror movies. Fucking Blair Witch.”

Phil tried to pull the remains of his pyjama shirt over his chest.

“So was I. God we’re pathetic.”

Dan sniggered as he took in the mess they’d made of their flat.

Phil laughed at Dan’s hair, sticking up all over the place as if he’d just been dragged backwards through a haystack.

Dan laughed at Phil’s pyjamas and suddenly they were both in hysterics, clutching at each other once more on the floor.

~

PJ shakes his head slowly.

“You know what...” He mutters. “I think I’ll just go to boots and get a whole box.”

As he turns leave, he frowns.

The front door is shut tight; but he distinctly recalls leaving it open.

He stares for a moment, scratching his head.

And then he hears a sound which makes his blood run cold.

Knock

Knock

Knock.