Upstairs

When I was a child, I lived in a rented two-floor house. Both of my parents worked, so I was often alone when I came home from school. One early evening, when I came home, the house was still dark. I called out, "Mum," and heard a voice say, "Yeeeeeees," from upstairs.

I called my mum again, and again got the same, "Yeeeeeeeeeeeeees," reply. I felt she was calling back at me and climbed up the stairs.

When I reached the first floor, I called once more and the voice, "Yeeeeeees," came from the furthest room. I felt uneasy, but I had a strong urge to see my mother, so I started to walk towards the room.

Just that moment, I heard the front door open downstairs and my mother came in, carrying a lot of shopping bags. "Sweetie, are you home," my mother called in a cheery voice. Hearing her voice made me feel instantly better and I turned back to go downstairs at once...but not before I had a quick glance towards the room. While I watched from the top of the stairs, the door to the room slowly opened a crack.

For a brief moment, I saw something strange in there.

A pale face, staring at me.