Parking my 4x4 at the corner of the street I switched off the ignition and doused the lights. I paused. Silence. The small Texas town was quiet... undisturbed. The moon lighting the scene with it's ghostly white.
I retrieved an item from the glove-compartment and opened the door, stepping out into the cool night air. I looked about me. No-one. Alone. Quickly I locked the car-door and pocketed the keys before briskly walking down the pavement towards my destination clutching the dark object in my hand.
I know which house was hers. I do my homework well. As I approached I tried, in as much as possible to stay with the shadows. Watching... alert... listening. A few streets away a dog howled in the night. I froze... listening intently. I saw her Trans-Am parked in the driveway and stepped alongside. Carefully, in case the car had a touch-sensitive alarm, I touched the bonnet.... cool to the touch. Good! She's been home hours.... she'll be in bed and out of the way.
I took the object and unfolded it. A black hood with jagged holes cut for my eyes and mouth. I slipped it on as I approached the darkened house. In the safety of the shadows I watched and listened. The only movement being the scudding of silent clouds across the face of the moon.
It was so quiet.... I could hear my own breathing.
Stepping towards the first window I ran my fingers around the frame checking to see if she had left it insecure. Nothing... not even a crack. I cursed... stepping towards the second window. Better! She'd left it slightly ajar. I reached into my pocket and withdrew a sharp blade. Reaching inside I managed to dislodge the catch form the clip and the window swung open. I hesitated..... listening.
Quickly and silently I climbed upon the window-ledge, my eyes peering into the darkness of the room. Slowly I entered the room, cautious not to make a sound in the unfamiliarity. Silence... just the beating of my heart... thumping in my chest.
As my eyes became accustomed to the dark I glanced around the room. A large sofa and chairs illuminated by the moonlight from the window. A portrait upon the wall and the reflection from the television. I grinned in the darkness... that was what I was after! The TV and video equipment. Yes..... I'd get a good price for those!
I stepped forward, eager in my quest.
CRASH!!!!
Something hit the floor as I collided with a coffee-table in the darkness. I caught my breath... my ears straining for sounds from upstairs. Did a bed-spring creak? Was I to be discovered? I waited for what seemed an eternity. A click. A light shining under the hallway door. Someone was coming! A rush of panic swept over me like a chilly blanket. Quick! I moved quickly into the gap behind the sofa and crouched there in the darkness. A footfall on the stairs! I crouched lower still.
