The next morning, Melinda rises early so she can make breakfast for herself, her grandmother and Wayne. She dresses carefully, choosing her clothes with more thought than usual. An amused smile forms on her lips when she realizes why she is taking such care… The thought, 'Wayne is here,' is being repeated over and over in the back of her mind.
     She prepares breakfast for the two of them and sets the table. Moments after she slides the last egg out of the frying pan and onto the plate, she hears Wayne come into the kitchen and sit down at the table. He looks tired. Melinda sets his plate down without a word and pours him a cup of coffee. She takes a seat next to him and watches as he begins eating his eggs. He puts his fork down abruptly and looks at her. There is a small frown etched on his forehead.
     "Is something wrong, Wayne?" she asks softly, concerned that he is about to tell her more bad news about her grandmother.
     He shakes his head, rubs a hand over his face, and frowns some more. "Melinda," he begins, hesitating. "Have-have you ever heard anything strange in this house at night?"
     She frowns herself. Puzzled she says, "No, not that I can recall… Did something happen?"
     He laughs uneasily. "No, I don't think so… I just thought I heard some funny noises, and thought I saw something moving around the property last night… I'm sure it was nothing. I'm just tired. It's been awhile since I pulled an all-nighter." He laughs again, trying to shake off his uneasiness.
     She considers him a moment and realizes he isn't telling her the whole truth.
     "What is it you saw exactly, Wayne?"
     He is silent for a long time. He picks up his fork and begins moving his eggs across the plate. Finally, he sighs heavily. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you, Melinda. Besides, I'm sure it wasn't anything to be worried about. I have an overactive imagination," he says, laughing again.
     She decides to drop the subject. "Ok," she says softly. "But if you do decide to tell me, you know where to find me. I wouldn't laugh at you, Wayne."
      He nods and continues eating. "I know you wouldn't laugh," he says later, a small smile on his lips.
     After breakfast, Melinda goes upstairs to keep watch over her grandmother while Wayne sleeps. She brings a paperback novel from the downstairs bookcase with her to keep her company. Her grandmother is lost in a deep sleep. She begins reading, trying to escape her grim surroundings. The room is starting to smell musty-it is the smell of a room belonging to a sick person. She sighs, a frown forming over her brow. Wayne's conversation that morning had disturbed her. He had seen something, she was sure of it. But the question was what did he see? She frowns and tries to concentrate on the book open in front of her.
     Suddenly, she hears a noise coming in the direction of the doorway. She looks up to see Wayne standing there, still in the clothes from the night before.