fields caught up to him . Already the sounds of its approach grew louder and louder . He could hear its own hurried steps just behind his own . He heard the sound of something breaking free of the fields as he rushed up the front porch steps . The front door in front of him , Ern charged through , bull-like , swung around , slammed it shut and fastened the latch .
There was a loud thud as the door shuddered . A hurried pounding sounded from the other side , and Ern saw the door ' s handle begin to shake . Whatever was out there before , he realized , knew he was in here now . It wanted in , and with mounting dread , Ern realized there was more than one way to get into a house .
Adrenaline still surging through his veins , Ern blew through the entire house . He locked every door to the outside , fastened the bolt of every window and drew the curtains . The thing was still at the front door , scratching the wood and shaking the handle , but with each lock he turned , Ern thought he heard a small bang at whatever potential entryway he just sealed . Even at the windows on the second floor , he swore he heard a strike on the glass . The thing knew exactly where he was , he realized , and it was following him around the house .
When all the locks were secure , all the curtains drawn , Ern slumped against the wall opposite the front door . His fear-induced high was wearing out , even if the terror that had caused it hadn ' t . The front door was still shaking . He ' d have to wait this thing out , he figured ; he ' d never seen any sign of it after sunrise . He could wait until
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