What's That Sound?

I awoke with a start. It was still dark out, so I glanced at the clock. 1:55 glared back at me in bright red numbers. Dennis was sound asleep next to me.

Why had I awakened? Was it a noise? A bad dream? I didn't remember anything in particular.

*Thump*

I heard the sound and realized that was what had brought me back from Dreamland. Now to determine what it could be and where it was coming from. Maybe one of the children. I looked toward the baby monitor. No noise was coming from it except a slight snoring sound as my youngest two slept peacefully. I sat for a minute, waiting...listening.

*Thump*

Again, my heartbeat increased a bit. Perhaps my daughter was up. She sometimes would get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom. Another glance at the clock told me it was now 2:02 AM. I laid back, but not at ease, nor restful. I allowed another 2 minutes to pass. Hearing nothing, I thought I would check on my daughter. Maybe she was still up, or possibly the sound was her climbing back into bed. I sat up and swung my feet over the side of the bed.

*Thump*

I nearly jumped as I reached for my robe. Maybe I should let Dennis check it out. Why do I, as the mother, always have to get the kids when they have a bad dream, or have to be fed, or diapered through the night. He gets up for work at 5:30, so I figure, no, I won't wake the sleeping giant.

Pulling my robe around me and sliding into my house slippers, I tip-toe across the room and slightly open the door. Peering out, I see nothing, but darkness. As my eyes adjust, I notice that my daughter's door is slightly ajar. I stepout into the hallway and look toward the bathroom. No lights.

*Thump*

My skin is crawling now and I am tempted to get a baseball bat or maybe a gun! I look over my shoulder at Dennis, who is still sleeping like a baby. Bravely, I step across the hall and open Dawn's door. She is not in her bed. Goosebumps start rising as I realize she is not even in her room. I step to the boys' room and open their door. Both are sound asleep and she is not in there either. A look in the bathroom confirms that it is empty as well.

*Thump*

I now realize that the noise must be her, but where is she? As I reach the living room, I finally cut a light on. The front door is securely locked. I walk to the kitchen, and notice the back door is locked as well. So, at least she is not outside. All the rooms were vacant, so I made my way back to the bedrooms.

*Thump*

This time, when I get to her room. I turn her light on and softly call her name. No answer. I open the closet. Empty. I look under the bed. At last, I have found her! She is curled up, asleep. "Dawn!" I whispered again, so as not to wake the rest of the household. She opens her eyes and looks at me, baffled. "What are you doing under your bed?" I ask her. She starts to sit up.

*Thump*

But it wasn't from her hitting her head. "What was that, Mommy?" she asks. "I don't know, I thought it was you. Why don't you get back into bed and I will find out what's making that noise." She climbs back into her bed, snuggles under the covers and I once again continue my investigation.

Sensing that the noise could be outside, I walk back into the living room. I leave the light off as I step to the front door. I crack open the curtain and peek out. Seeing nothing, I reach for the doorknob.

*Thump*

Whatever it is, it is right outside my door! Forget it, I am waking up Dennis and he can be the man of the house. He falls asleep quickly so he will not miss much sleep once he takes care of this intruding noise.

I almost run to the bedroom and flip the light on. "Dennis!" I whisper loudly, shaking him. "Wake up, there is something or someone at the front door making noi..."

*Thump*

It finally wakes him up. "What is it? What time is it?" We both look at the clock. 2:18 AM. He stretches. "Did you check the kids?" "Yes, Dawn was under the bed asleep but it wasn't her or the boys. I am telling you, the noise is coming from the front door." He rolls his eyes as he climbs out of the bed, seeming to be put out. He walks through the house turning lights on as he goes. I am right behind him. He walks to the window and peers out. Seeing nothing himself, he steps to the door.

*Thump*

"Get my gun" he whispers. I run to the bedroom where he keeps it and check it, load it and bring it to him. He is straining his neck to look out the window at the door. There is just not enough angle to see.

"Stay back!" he says as he unlocks the door and swings it open suddenly.

*Thump, bump, bump* is the noise we hear. But there is nothing there. The wind is blowing and we find with much relief that my door decoration is being caught in the occasional breeze and knocking against the door.

We chuckle as he closes and locks the door back, turn lights off and return to bed. "You woke me up for that?!" he says. I know I won't live this down for a while.

This is my first attempt at a short story. Let me know how I did? Rate it honestly please. Thanks.