The Syndicate

The ensuing silence was as paralyzingly scary as the thumping din that preceded it.

"But they have a thread count of 1000+!," Dante protested.

Dante moved the four-posted bed against the door, while his family stared at him, mouth agape.

Everyone fled into the upstairs bedroom furthest from the stairs.

Nadine panicked as everyone heard a loud thump bang against the door.

An arrow shot through the doorway and into the middle of Dante's outstretched hand.

Nadine shook her head frantically.

The sound of a music box emitted from the doorway; it was immediately recognizable as "Pop Goes the Weasel", yet the music sounded too slow and deranged.

A red ball rolled out the doorway.

Unaided, a door creaked open at the bottom of the stairs.