Many years ago I woke up during the night. I’m not sure what woke me. It could have been one of the pets, a tree limb or any number of things.

I laid there (on my side) in my semi-conscious state as I began drifting back to sleep. What a peaceful space to be in.

Snuggling unconsciously into my pillow and all of a sudden … I hear heavy, slow moving footsteps coming down the hallway towards my bedroom. I was on the side of the bed closest to the door.

Could I get off the bed, to the other side and onto the floor without making a sound? I’ve imagined before what I’d do if someone came in during the night but reality turns out to be much different.

I held my breath and listened. The footsteps stopped. I breathe quietly again and the footsteps resume. Panic begins to set in. The footsteps get heavier as my breathing gets harder.

Again, I hold my breath to listen and the footsteps stop. I blink and just then I realize … there are no footsteps. My eyelashes were hitting the pillow.