The Specter in the House

By D.S.Pais

"A mysterious visitor infiltrates a family's home under the cloak of night, causing

disturbance without causing harm or pilfering possessions. In the tranquillity

of sleep, the family is unexpectedly unsettled by the stranger's presence. Swiftly

evading capture, he vanishes into the shadows, leaving the family bewildered.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Nov 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9789361722028

Book preview

Chapter 1

I

n the stillness of the night, seemingly harmless sounds like a footstep or the gentle jostling of a ceramic ornament take on a terrifying significance. For a family in Cape Elizabeth, this mundane night turned into a nightmare when an intruder slipped into their home unnoticed. The door left ajar, became an unwitting invitation. The mysterious figure, lurking in the shadows, seized the opportunity as the town settled into slumber. With an unsettling urge to witness people asleep, he silently roamed from room to room, his satisfaction growing with each sleeping face he observed.

The Browning family's ordeal unfolded in the early morning hours. Annie Browning awoke to a smiling face at her bedroom door, assuming it was a relative. Unbeknownst to her, the intruder continued his eerie visitation, patting heads and spreading an unsettling sense of security. Even the maid, witness to this nocturnal intrusion, dismissed it as a friendly visitation. The departing words to the maid, advising her to lock the door, carried an ominous weight.

The climax of the encounter occurred in Browning's bedroom, as the intruder rifled through Alexis's pockets who was in deep sleep. Unfazed, Alexis dismissed the disturbance, attributing it to playful antics. However, a sudden burst of laughter marked the intruder's exit, leaving the family in shock and panic. Although nothing was stolen, the intruder left an indelible mark of fear.

The intruder's peculiar actions raised questions about his motivations. The advice to lock the door hinted at a conflicted conscience, humanizing his seemingly ghostly presence. His elusive nature, reminiscent of a supernatural entity, added an extra layer of mystery.

The family's attempt to involve the police yielded no response. Frustrated, Mr. Browning took matters into his own hands, reporting the incident at the police station. The realization dawned that enhanced security measures, including cameras, were necessary to safeguard their home.

This unsettling experience prompted a reevaluation of the family's lax security habits. Leaving doors ajar and car keys in the ignition became glaring vulnerabilities. Annie, emotionally shaken, grappled with the violation of her sense of security. The incident forced her to confront the harsh reality that safety could not be taken for granted.

The aftermath of the intrusion cast a lingering shadow on the Browning family. Their home, once a haven of peace, now resonated with an eerie strangeness. While relieved that no physical harm occurred, the fear of a potential violent escalation loomed. The intruder, perceived as a silent killer with a psychological affliction, left the family grappling with uncertainty and the unsettling realization that danger could lurk even in the perceived safety of their own home.

Chapter 2

C

ape Elizabeth, nestled in the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine, metropolitan statistical area, stood as a beacon of desirability. Renowned for its elite schools