Just as I take a step back toward the bed, a bang shakes the door, and it’s hard. The force rattles the wooden frame, and I feel myself growing fearful. Something large must have hit it, but what?

I freeze with my breath caught in my chest, unable to exhale it. As I listen for any sound beyond the furious pounding beyond my own heartbeat, it feels like the silence stretches on. The door rattles again, the hinges groaning as if something is testing its strength. It’s pushing and waiting for ...