[dollpartz]

While in bed I heard a loud creaking sound down the hall. But I wasn't awake ... my eyes were closed, and I couldn't move. I was alone in the house. The creaking was coming from the stairs down the hall..

Someone or something was descending the stairs. What's more, when it reached the landing at the front door it continued down the second flight to the basement. Then it turned and climbed up. I was listening very, very intently. Was there really someone there?

When it got to the top of stairs it turned and descended once more. This went on for some time. Up and down, up and down. Without pause ...louder than it should be ...

Suddenly I woke. That instant--that very instant--I heard a bang. It sounded like a foot struck one of the furnace vents in the hallway, across from the stairs. I've done this myself, so I know the sound. It was as if, I thought, it had been startled by me waking, and missed the top step, and slid into the vent.

Of course, now that I was awake I investigated but found no sign ...