Alissa did not want to be alone. Sitting in her room as darkness set in, inanimate objects became sinister and the shadows seemed to come to life. At one point she was sure something stood in the blackness, skulking just beyond her field of vision. To ease her thudding heart, Alissa assured herself it was just the stress of recent events and lack of sleep. This only raised further need to explain problems that were spiralling out of control. Thinking about the nightmares only gave the shadow monster teeth.
‘Keep yourself busy,’ Alissa told herself. A glance about the room provided her with an idea to pass the time. Papers, diner plates and clothing littered the sofas and the coffee table. The plates had dried on tomato ketchup and cheese, so she left them to soak in bubbly water before
