Shawn felt the bite of worm sink deep into his finger. The sensation caused him to jump up, sitting upright in bed. Temporarily in between the waking world and the dream, Shawn heard the pitter-patter of rain on his bedroom window.

There was a jolting sound. It was the sound of thunder followed by a quick flash of lighting that illuminating the night sky, casting light briefly into Shawn's room. By now Shawn was clearly awake and the details of the dream began to become less focused, although Shawn still remembered everything.

Shawn rubbed his finger gingerly, still remembering how it felt even if it was just a dream. As he started to wake up, he looked to his side to check on Mr. Clayton. He was still a little nervous about letting the puppet sleep in his bed. Shawn had made sure to try and sleep on his back, so that Mr. Clayton couldn’t mess with the puppet cavity he knew he had in his back, and he’d listened carefully for any sound of movement in the night. Hopefully it was just a one time thing.

As Shawn rubbed his finger, he felt a slight sting and the wet warmness of blood. A small trickle dripped out of his finger. From the other side of the house, down the hall near Dad's room, Shawn heard a sound. It was a creaking sound.

"..creak..."

"..creak..."

"..creak..."

Shawn almost flinched when he felt his finger, but he tried to remind himself he shouldn't be bleeding. That finger was made of wood, just cunningly disguised as skin that could bleed. He concentrated on that fact for a little bit, but was interrupted by the creaking sound.

He wasn't sure what it was, but he felt like he should investigate. Or at least go to the bathroom and happen to pass near his Dad's room.