A crash awoke me from my study, and I gave a startled cry before I saw that a stack of my books had fallen from the end table. I can only assume their orderly tower had somehow or other displeased my cat who was now perched upon the table in their stead. Stretching myself, my eyes sought out the window: It was quite dark. I stood with a yawn, wobbling a little as a lightheadedness overtook me. When I was again sure of myself, I stepped over the misplaced books, stumbling out the study door and into the unlit hallway.
I was groping for the switch when I saw a shadow standing opposite me. My brains reeled for a moment, but remembering that family was visiting, I stifled the shout I was about to give. It caught in my throat, and came out in a sort of unmanly squeak.
A moment later, I felt immense relief as my hand discovered the light. Still trying to figure—within the darkness of that late hour—which of my brother’s spawn was standing there silently like some ghoul, I flipped the switch.
The shadow disappeared with the darkness, and I was all alone within the hallway.
The cat came out and rubbed against my legs. Her tail curled around my calf a moment, and then she darted wildly down the hallway into the unlit living room.
Tale Told 