TAP - TAP

TAP! TAP! by Rick Haynes

The floorboards creaked as if someone was walking across the room.

Ellie sat up in bed, her eyes as wide as saucers.

Tap! Tap!

She turned on the light and saw – nothing.

Tap! Tap!

She looked under the bed and in the wardrobe – nothing.

Tap! Tap!

Her eyes welled up. She tried to call mummy but only a strangled sob escaped from her lips.

As she looked at her image in the mirror, the face of a clown appeared. Her body shook uncontrollably as a spell of terror held her in a tight embrace. Tears fell, her hands shook and her body trembled but finally, Ellie found her voice. Her scream cracked the glass leaving fragments on the smooth carpet.

Without thinking, she ran to the wardrobe, opened the door, closed it behind her and held her breath.

The door to the bedroom crashed open. “I’ve told you many times, Danny, your sister is terrified of clowns.”