_static~_

__

_beware of this monster, it can mimic those close to you~_

_static~_

_tv chatter~_

__

_dish clatter~_

“Honey?”

“Yeah?”

“Can you come upstairs really quick?”

“Sure, give me a minute.”

_knock knock knock~_

I finished washing the dishes and dried my hands on a towel.

Just as I was about to head upstairs, I heard a knock at the door.

“Honey, I’ll be upstairs in another minute— someone’s at the door.”

“Alright.”

I opened the front door.

There she was, groceries in hand, smiling like nothing was wrong.

“I’m back, honey. The store was packed—it took me longer than I thought.”

“It’s alright… but, uh… why did you want me to go upstairs though?”

She gave me a confused look.

“What are you talking about? I’ve been at the store. I didn’t call you.”

I froze.

I _knew_ I’d heard her voice.

“Now that I think about it, if you were gone this whole time, how did—”

“Honey, I’m still waiting.”

The voice floated down from upstairs.

Slowly, I turned.

My wife stood frozen too, her face drained of all color.

“I didn’t say that,” she whispered.

Both of us stared up the staircase.

_low screeching~_