Dad had to work late at the hospital, so it was just Mom and I at home, like most nights. since the pandemic had started I've been home from college stuck doing online courses. I was having some hot flashes, and no matter how I tossed and turned, I just couldn't seem to fall asleep. I was in my boxers and socks only, lying atop the comforter, sweating into my pillow.
I decided that succumbing to sleep was a losing battle. I got up for a glass of water. Now, my bedroom is at the end of the hallway once you get to the top of the stairs. The bathroom was on the other side of the stairwell, so I had to hike a way. I passed my sister's bedroom, which was empty because Susan was already in her fall semester at BYU. Since she was studying out-of-state, she and a friend just rented an apartment out there.
Already a few paces outside my door, I fumbled my way through the darkened hallway until I could just barely make out the door jam of the bathroom. As I approached, carefully nearing the top step, I heard an uncanny sound coming from the far end of the hallway. I froze, wondering what would be making a noise in the house right now. There was a linen closet straight ahead of me, and my parent's bedroom around the corner from that. I listened and heard the sound again. I thought it sounded vaguely like a dog whimpering, at least certainly an animal in distress. Somewhere between a cry and a pant.
My curiosity getting the better of me, I made my way farther down the hall. I still couldn't see much in front of me, but the sound was getting louder. The pained sound sent tingles down my spine. My family doesn't own a dog, you see. I couldn't even fathom what on earth could be making such noises.
I felt the end of the wall with my fingertips. Suddenly, the whine was interrupted by a sigh. The noise was unmistakably human in origin. I peered around the corner and saw the light seeping out of the crack in my parent's ajar master bedroom door. I carefully made my way over to the crack in the door and peeked inside.