Albert strolled around the patio multiple times. He was contemplating whether to report his findings. After all, it’s not every day you find an unknown green residue slithering around your car. He decided to leave the matter and headed towards the front door.

Turning the handle, his brain secreted a dose of dopamine at the familiar sound of the coming relaxation, and waited on the next of the two sounds he heard every day at 6:30: Pebble banging against the door.

 Pebble was a small poodle that bore greasy fur and constantly wagged it’s tail in a circular motion whenever happy.

.There was no banging though. No panting either. Nothing at all to signify to dog even knew he was there. After a decade of the usual routine of driveway, key, door and Pebble, it was obvious to notice the silence. He shouldered the door open, failing to compensate for Pebble’s missing weight, and stumbled over the threshold. More silence.(describe house)

“Albert?”

There was a sound he noticed. He hadn’t seen Maria’s car when he pulled in. It was hard to miss a bright pink range rover in your driveway.

“It’s me,” he said, making his way slowly towards the back of the small house they shared. “How are you?”

“Good.” Maria’s voice allowed him a sigh of relief. The missing dog still nagged at him. “Where’s Pebble?”

“Down here,” Linda said. “He followed me downstairs to do the laundry.”

Albert froze with his hand an inch away from the doorknob. Pebble never went downstairs, ever since he had that fright with the neighbour’s pet snake. Thinking about it, Maria never did either, at least not since—

Not since they moved the washing machine upstairs.

“Maria? Are you alright?”

“Yes.” Her response was quick and sounded as if it has been automated.

“Are you sure baby?”

“Yes, hon.” A little softer this time, but still not right.

Albert eased his hand toward the doorknob.

“Are you going to come down and help me or not Albert Granola?” Her voice sounded stern this time, definitely sounded like Maria.

“I have a lot of cl— stuff to carry, and I can’t get to the door.”

You’re being stupid!

The voice in his head was full of contempt, but he couldn’t shake his fear. Had she just not noticed what she’d said? What else would she be carrying?  Since the washing machine was relocated quite some time ago.

“Honey?”

The irritation of having to ask a third time certainly sounded normal. Albert turned the knob and opened the door.

It was pitch black.

But yet Albert managed to outline several figures in the dark. The stench of damp loomed beneath Albert’s nostrils. As he made his way down the ragged flight of stairs searching for the light switch.

“Baby are you alright”

Silence rang out the basement

By the time Albert reached the bottom he didn’t have enough time to see exactly what waited on him, but it wasn’t Maria. It absolutely was not Maria.