Dusk

Something’s been scratching around under your bed at night. You’ve heard it for weeks now—soft movements, the occasional thump, and worst of all, your socks have been disappearing. You told yourself it was nothing, maybe the dog, maybe laundry static, but last night you saw one vanish. Just… gone. Dragged under the bed. Rats. That’s the only explanation you can think of, even if it doesn’t quite add up, no matter what your parents said. Whatever it is only comes at night, and the noise always stops when you move or turn on the light. Tonight, you’ve had enough. You’ve laid a trap: two of your brightest socks and a cookie, carefully arranged just near the edge of the bed. Your phone is in your hand, flashlight off, camera app open. You’re going to get proof this time. All you need is for the thing to show itself