I gasp and jump back, standing still as death. _Maybe if I stand still they will think they imagined something._ I think to myself. "Who's there?" A deep voice calls out in the dark. The voice echoes and seems to bounce off the pitch blackness of the tunnel. _No luck with that idea._ Suddenly a lamp is shining in the distance, and I realize that slowly, ever so slowly, I had begun to creep backwards, retracing my steps. Luckily the light moves in the opposite direction, but I begin to once again quicken my steps, shaking off the paralytic effect of fear. As I continue my seemingly long trek back to my room I resolve to build up enough courage to venture down the "secret" path again. Consumed in thought, I unknowingly reach the stairs and hit my arm. A small cry of alarm escapes my mouth, adrenaline courses through my veins. I quickly scamper up the stairs wondering if my cry was heard. I sit on my bed contemplating all I heard and saw. I look up to see Michelle staring at me. http://ficlets.com/feed/story/5007