Other Occupants

THE OTHER OCCUPANTS

Ron Isaacs

Lying in bed awake during the small hours, Bob and Jen were chatting as
couples do. "Listen!" whispered Jen, "Can you hear that?" Bob raised
himself on his elbow and turned his head to the door. "Hear what?" he
asked. Jen motioned with her hand, "Sort of chattering." After a few
seconds Bob rejoined "Oh, that! I hear it often but haven't seen any
point in mentioning it." In a quivering voice Jan queried "But what is
it?"
Bob sat up and turned on the bedside light. "Well," he laughed, "We
take it for granted that we alone occupy this house, but I don't think
it's so. During the night there are others living downstairs. They take
up occupation as soon as we go to bed, and when we get up they just
go." Jen shivered. "Stop it, you're giving me the creeps! Be a dear, go
down and have a look." Bob lay down again and covered his head with the
sheet. "Not likely, you are the curious one, you look!" It was Jen's
turn to be disconcerted. "Please have a look, you're getting me
worried."

Muttering under his breath, Bob got out of bed and put on his dressing
gown. He went to the landing and descended the stairs. He swore he
could hear movement and chattering. That was strange, a light coming
from under the lounge door. He could have sworn he turned out all the
lights before he end Jen went up. He opened the door.

The light was blinding, and the chattering became louder. When his eyes
became accustomed to the light he found he had entered a vast chamber
inhabited by weird creatures. They were rather taller than himself,
completely white, with large expressionless eyes. Instead of arms they
had tentacles, each terminated with a long-fingered, taloned hand.
Three of them moved towards him, chattering loudly, holding tentacles
menacingly towards him. Bob reached out his hand in defence, and as one
of the tentacles reached his face he grabbed it. One of the talons
seemed to snap off in his hand. The threat intensified as more of the
creatures advanced towards him. They closed in and grabbed him, talons
piercing his skin. He screamed in agony.

He felt a hand shaking him. "Hey!" called Jen's voice, "Wakey-wakey!"
Bob sat up, sweat streaming from all over him. "You've just had a
nightmare!" laughed Jen. "Serve you right for your spooky speculation."
Bob felt very sore. He touched his neck then looked at his hand. It was
covered in blood. "How did you get your pyjamas torn like that?" asked
Jen. She pulled aside the torn jacket. "And your body is all
scratched!"

Bob found something in his other hand. It was the talon.

? R. J. Isaacs, 2000