The basement

ABetty's mom braided little Betty's hair, humming her favourite lullaby whilst waiting for the lights to come back on. "Don't worry baby, daddy's working on the power, so it'll come on soon" her mother comforted her.

Just then Little Betty remembered leaving Lisa up in the attic "oh poor Lisa, she might me scared up there all alone" she thought.

But those thoughts were cut short by a loud clang that came from the basement. Something fell.

"Henry, are you okay?"

Betty's mom asked, after hurriedly walking to the basement door, but there was no response.

" Henry?" Betty's mom called out.

" Oh yea… I'm fine " He responded

" Need some help?" She called out again after her sigh of relief, but It was silent– not even the echoes of his voice remained. All that could be heard was a continuous dripping sound from a leaking sink.

Anne went back to place her waiting daughter on the couch. " Is daddy okay?" Betty asked.

" Of course he is… just needs some help is all."

Anne went to the kitchen drawer, took another torch, lit up a a couple more candles and approached little Betty with her favourite knitted blanket.

Anne kissed little Betty's forehead, and just when she was about to leave, Betty grabbed the end of her mom's dress with fear and tears in her eyes, her mom sat down on the couch and patted Little Betty " don't worry sweetie, I'll be back with daddy in no time, okay? " Betty nodded, felling a little confident, she let go of the dress and her mother left with a smile on her face.

Getting to the basement, Anne pushed open the door as the smell of old clothes and worn out materials hit her nose. She hadn't been in there since the time they moved here from town. They both had lost their jobs and moved to this cottage, which they found for a fairly cheap price.

As she made her way into the dark, she heard noises coming from the corner of the room, she flashed the torch slightly to the direction of the sound as she saw a figure move, she looked intently as it kept on moving.

She quietly picked up an old shoe and threw it at the direction of the sound, it squeaked and ran out.

" RATS! " she panicked… after calming down, she took in a deep breath " Henry? " she softly called out to her husband. " Honey are you there?" The silence mocked at her.

Henry's scream cut her off in her attempt to call out again– eyes widening and in sense of panic, she immediately followed the sound.