Escaper: Madman’s Basement

A gentle scream woke the little boy from his dream. He crept quietly to the door and pushed it half-open. A tall, lean figure stood in the shadowy hall. He was in the shadows, back toward the boy and he was painting something on the floor using blood-red paint. The scared boy quickly slipped back into bed and pretended to be asleep. Footsteps approached. The bedroom door was pushed open. The tall man stepped into the room, scratched something on the wall and crawled under the bed. The boy opened his eyes slightly and tried to read the writing on the wall. It was dark, but his eyes finally adjusted enough for him to see the letters. He read, "I know you are awake." At the same moment, the boy felt a painful sting in the heart... The man flinched and opened his eyes. It had just been a dream. Suddenly, inhuman groans could be heard from downstairs. He stood up and went down the stairs. The sounds became louder as he approached to the basement. He must have forgotten. He had forgotten the basement door open. He calmly pushed the crackly door shut and locked using a padlock. Silence...