I quickly became acutely aware of every small sound around me; the creaking of a door on the first story, the wind blowing the trees just outside, the thundering of my racing heart.

"Eden?" I called out timidly. "Austin?" There was no answer besides the groaning of the dark house.

I spared a moment to pity myself; I wasn't sure how much more I could take. It seemed like every step I took was haunted by the promise of something lurking in the shadows. My poor heart was ready to ...