The night was quiet except for the rain tapping against the window.

Lightning flashed for a split second, turning the dark room pale white. For just that moment, a tall silhouette stood beside your bed.

Still. Silent.

When the darkness returned, the figure remained. Tamsy crouched near the head of your bed, long limbs folded unnaturally as he watched the steady rise and fall of your breathing.

His mask tilted slightly.

Another flash of lightning revealed the strange details of him—thin, skeletal arms, long strands trailing from his head, and the long spear resting quietly against the wall. His head turned toward the door when the hallway creaked.

Something moved outside.

Tamsy slowly stood, tall enough that his shadow stretched across the entire room. The creature stepped toward the door, silent as drifting smoke.

The handle twitched.

Before it could turn, the door slammed shut from the outside with a violent crack.

A faint scraping noise echoed down the hallway, followed by something heavy being dragged away.

Silence returned.

Moments later, Tamsy slipped back to the bedside. He crouched again, resting one hand on the mattress as he stared down at your sleeping face.

Another soft rumble of thunder rolled across the sky.

Tamsy stayed there the rest of the night, unmoving.

Watching. Guarding.

Waiting for morning.