All alone. The room is empty, the window has been boarded up. Huddle into the corner. There's nowhere to hide... Just keep small and quiet. Don't breathe. Close your eyes and they won't find you.

The light bulb blinks on and off, there's no shade, just a bulb covered in dust. Listen. You can hear the filament in the bulb crackling. Don't look.

The light starts to swing violently, sending strange shadows around the room. Your own shadow looms large over your huddled body.

Cower away.

It must be a draught that makes the bulb move on its own... don't imagine unseen hands or worse...

Sudden silence. Don't breathe, don't look!

The light goes out with barely a sound and the room is plunged into utter darkness. A gasp. Was that you?!

Eyes open wide now, staring wildly into the black, looking at nothing, there's nothing there! Wait... shh...

Your skin crawls, hairs stand on end, a prickle of fear... and something touches your hand. Jump up! Don't scream. Hands brush each other frantically, there's nothing there, calm down! Blink into the darkness, thrust your hands under your arms, don't let anything else touch you.

Breathe slowly.

Your heart beats painfully in your chest, blood thunders in your ears. Too loud! You can't hear, can't see what might be there in the dark...

You stand rigid. Until you remember the window...

Feel along the wall... careful... small steps, light desperate touches, hands shake as they pat the wall. There... the window. Feel the edge of the board? Rough... covered in cobwebs. Don't freak.

Grip the board, force fingers into gaps too small, eyes open painfully wide and staring at darkness. A deep breath and pull.

A crack. It's working! Desperate tugs, you can see now, the light creeps in... don't look round. Footsteps scuff then fall silent outside the door.

A strangled, fearful sob escapes your lips. One more tug at the board rips it from the frame. Weak light fills the room. Stagger backwards, drop the board... Behind you the door handle turns, look away back to the window.

The face appears suddenly, looming at the glass! The eyes are hollow, the mouth twisted into a grin, you stare, frozen in terror. A heavy hand falls on your shoulder.

Scream.