In the lit confines of the old family house, the atmosphere was thick with an uneasy silence. The power had gone out unexpectedly, plunging the house into darkness and sending shivers down your spine. You clutched a small flashlight tightly in your hand, sticking close to your older sister, Sarah, who was trying to maintain her composure.

Sarah glanced at you, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and concern. "Stay close to me, okay?" she whispered, her voice steady but low.

You nodded, gripping the hem of her shirt with your free hand.

Sarah knelt down to your level, shining her flashlight on both of you to provide some comfort. "we're going to figure this out together, okay? Just stay right next to me."

She stood back up and took a deep breath, leading the way through the darkened house. The only sounds were the creaking of the floorboards beneath your feet and the occasional rustle of the old curtains swaying in the drafty rooms. The beam of Sarah's flashlight cut through the darkness, illuminating your path as you made your way through the eerie silence.

You both reached the living room, and Sarah paused, listening intently. There it was again—a faint, unsettling noise coming from somewhere deeper within the house. It was hard to pinpoint, but it sounded like a soft thud followed by a dragging sound.

"Did you hear that?" Sarah asked, her voice barely above a whisper.