“Jumping at Conclusions”

10B English 2nd Period ~ Central High School – West Allis, WI

September 23, 1945

I awoke with a start. From downstairs came a mysterious creaking noise – a noise not unlike the kind made by someone’s walking on a creaky floor. Since I was alone in the house my heart began to beat faster, every nerve became tense and alert. Afraid of making any noise, I let my eyes become accustomed to the darkness and looked around the dark room instead of turning on the light. The shadows of the furniture cast weird patterns about the room. Outside a silvery moon in a midnight blue sky shone down on the snow, making it look as if millions of tiny diamonds had been sprinkled on it. I tried to convince myself that in surroundings as peaceful as this, nothing could possibly be wrong. Above all, it was absurd to even imagine there could be some unknown person walking around downstairs.

I lay quietly for about five minutes and was just about ready to doze off when I again heard that same creaking noise. This time I was determined to find out just who or what was downstairs. With no hesitation this time, I snapped on the light. I hurriedly slipped into my housecoat, grabbed a large dictionary to throw just in case, and ran down the stairs.

Cautiously I made an inspection of the house, until when I had finished the lights were on in every room. I was positive there could not be anyone hiding anywhere.

By this time I was very confused and began to wonder if my imagination had been playing tricks on me. As it was late and I was very tired, I started upstairs again and was half way up when again there was that same creaking sound – this time seeming to come from the basement.

I had a sudden inspiration and ran down to the basement. There was that familiar creaking sound, but this time I was no longer baffled. It came, just as that “inspiration” had led me to believe, from the back pressure in the water pipes.

---