A long shadow fell across the floor.  Someone was standing right outside and heavy breathing could be heard.  And then, the door of her bedroom began to open very slowly in a creaky deliberate motion…
     Mary instinctively closed her eyes tightly and cupped her face, crumpling her body tightly inwards.  She also tossed the bedsheet over her body.  There was a sudden click.  The lights had been switched off.  And then, the presence, whoever she, he or it was, entered Mary’s room.  Mary remained as stiff as a log, completely motionless.  The footsteps got closer and closer, until they stopped.  She felt the weight of a body clash against her bed.  The force was such, that the bed moved a few inches to the right, knocking over the cabinet.  There was a loud thud as it crashed against the floor, tilting over all of John’s love letters, but Mary could not do a thing.  Nothing at all.  Heavy breathing could be heard, as the presence knelt down and for the first time, whispered to her, through the bedsheets, in a very uncanny and disturbing tone of voice.

     “Mary Werming.  Beyond the dark trees and past the shining gate is where you will find me. Hssssssss.”

     Mary screamed at the top of her voice.

     “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”  And then, some supernatural force compelled her to throw aside the bedsheet and face her pursuer. 

      “W…where is he!?”  She turned around, frantically.  Just then, the lights went back on and there was a knock on her door, which was still partially open. 

      “C…come in.”  Said Mary, feebishly.  A young girl of about nine entered the room,  She was dressed in rag clothing and held a silver tray with a dome cover over it.  She walked up to Mary and spoke.

     “Mr Vincent has asked me to give this to you, as you may be hungry.  Please accept it.”  Mary smiled at the innocent girl and caressed her blond hair with her right hand.   She then took the silver tray and removed the dome cover.  It was a home-baked vegetarian pie with a silver knife and fork on either side and a napkin.