The Locked Room at Night

Our new apartment was modern and clean, only five years old when we arrived. For the first time, I didn’t have to share space with my two younger brothers. They were always borrowing my stuff without permission, so I started keeping my door locked whenever I left, and even while I slept.

One night, after I’d been living there for a few weeks, I went to bed before anyone else. I locked my door as usual. I fell asleep quickly but was awakened later by the sound of my brothers talking and giggling. It sounded like they were right there in my room. I could feel the bed shaking slightly, as if someone was sitting on the edge of it.

I was too exhausted to look, so I just mumbled, ‘Go away, please.’ The noises continued for another moment. I finally forced my eyes open a crack. My younger brother was standing silently beside my bed, watching me sleep.