It
was only when I finished speaking that I realised I was shaking. I
tried to take a deep breath and gather my wits.
“That's
what this is, isn't it?” I demanded of Oak, gesturing at the
ceiling above us. “Another trick? More sleight of hand or random
distraction to keep us in a state of panic.”
“Why
would I do such a thing?” Oak asked calmly. “The last thing I
want is for you to panic.”
The
creaking, meanwhile, was getting louder. It seemed as though it was
moving through our whole house, no longer confined to the upper floor
it felt like it had spread to the walls around us and the floor
below.
“Really?”
I said, trying to keep the shrill tone out of my voice. “This is
how you operate, isn't it?”
“You
have to admit, she has a point,” my husband added, calmer than I
would have expected.
Before
Oak could reply, we heard a loud thump coming from the top of the
stairs, quickly followed by a second.
