An “Empty” House

The door creaks open, and he enters, aimlessly throwing the keys on the table. Behind him, a shadow sneaks in, side-stepping the slowly-closing door, and softly following him down the hallway.

He stops at the foot of the stairs, tilting his head, listening for a bit. His shadow stops abruptly, barely breathing. Silence descends over the darkness, and for a few moments both just stand there.

“It’s quiet. Too quiet...” She suddenly pipes up.

“Junina...Really?” He sighs, turning around to face her.

“What?!” She shrugs, coming to stand beside him. “I’ve always wanted to say that.” He rolls his eyes, but a deep rumbling chuckle still escapes over his lips.

“Leave it for when you are a licensed detective, sis. Not for returning home to an empty house.” Shaking his head, he starts up the stairs. She opens her mouth to retort, but both of them freeze at the sudden ‘crash’ on the second floor.

“Johan...Please tell me that we left a window open and that the stray got in...” A door slams shut somewhere behind her, and she whizzes into the safety of her brother’s arms. “Hold me! I don’t want to die yet!!”

“Please, Junina. I cannot protect either one of us if you are clinging to me. Let go of me.” He strips her off of him, ignoring the pleading puppy dog eyes. “No, Junina. If you are really worried about being killed, just stay close to me...not on me.” She smothers her plea, scurrying after him.

They creep up the stairs, Johan’s eyes flicking from one side to the other. They reach the second floor, and slip into the hallway, melting into the shaded areas. A door somewhere down the corridor slams shut, making Junina freeze. Refusing to take another step, she sinks down into a little heap.

“I’m fine...You can go without me. I’ll stay right here...” She whispers shakily.

“You’ll make a terrible detective, sis.” He teases, but still squeezes her hand. “I’ll be back in a moment. Count to ninety...” As he skulks down the hallway in the dark, his mind races. He doesn’t even know what he’s going to do if somebody is in this room. His heart rocketing away, he reaches the shut door. He presses his ear to it, trying to listen for any movement inside, but the only thing reaching his ears is his heart playing percussion behind the safety of his rib cage.

Gulping in a deep breath of fresh air, he reaches for the door knob. Cracking the door open, he peeks through. Feeling a little more certain that nobody is in there, with a quick push, he flings it open the rest of the way. He takes a small step forward, and scans the empty room. Suddenly, the door swings back, hitting him hard on the forehead. As he hits the ground, a bloodcurdling scream reaches his ears. Junina!