Noise

Part 3

Present Day-

They've started again. The sounds outside our hiding spot. But they shouldn't sound so close. Why do the sounds seem so close. I have to warn them, to get them up. Maybe it's all in my head? Could this all be in my head?

No.

They're close. The sounds. They're getting closer.

"Wake up." I shouted in a whisper, "They close."

With a jolt, he was off the mattress we had constructed and rushing to the other side where she slept.

We've practiced this before. But never with the idea it would really happen. We were safe. We thought we were safe.

Then- Day Two

No one. Not a single person could I find after leaving the store. Rick was dead. The teenager was dead.

No explanation.

No clues as to what had happened.

Not a murder. That doesn't explain everyone else missing. Where was everyone else in town?

I searched. Knocked on doors. Made a few hesitant phone calls.

Nothing. Or rather, no one.

I made my way back home. The only car maneuvering the winding roads. As soon as I reached my house, I pulled the garage door open, parked my car, and latched the door locked. Something I don't normally do.

Walking into the house, putting my keys back on the hook they reside, and going into the kitchen. Normal. This was normal for me. But then something caught my eye. Something that was not where I had left it.

My laptop was sitting by the couch. On the end table. Slightly ajar.

I'm not alone.

Frozen, unable to move a single limb.

Someone entered my sanctuary.

Someone broke in.

Someone else is in my home. Right now.

Someone is here.

There is someone else besides me.

What if they know what has happened?

What if they are the one responsible?

Where are they?

What do I do?

Millions of questions seemed to flood and overwhelm my mind at once. This is what froze me. But what awoke me was a sound.

Something of a screech. Something of a howl. Something of pain. Something that was not like anything I've ever heard before.

Then there was a hand, a hand that covered my mouth as I was about to yell in shock of the sound.

I looked behind me, following the arm attached to the hand now on my face. Following the arm to the face of a man, the one who broke into my refuge, my relief. And moved my laptop.