Rattle in the Corridor

A sudden, jerky burst propelled me straight out of the study and into the dim hallway. The narrow corridor stretched out, quiet and empty under the night shadows. At my feet sat a cold, slotted metal heating register. In one abrupt twitch, I swung my flat paddle down against the iron slats with a sharp clank. A hollow, ringing vibration echoed deep into the vent system beneath the floorboards. I froze instantly where I stood, thin limbs locked and jaw stretched wide in utter silence, refusing to yield an inch to the dark.