Sit up, gasping, in cold sweat, out of breath

Silence is deafening… didn’t you leave the fan on before bed?

The bed creaks as your partner shifts in their sleep

You let out a small smile & lie back down against them

Start to doze off… creaking.

You startle again, but stay silent

A whispering noise, like the wind

You look at the clock

& then pitch black.