She finds herself in his arms once again, her lips pressed against his. She gives into the kiss, relishing the feeling of his body against hers, of his mouth, moving softly on her own… They kiss with urgency and she knows that he has wanted this for a long time, just as much as she has.
     And then it is over. He takes her hand in his and looks at her softly. "Let's go downstairs. I'll make you a coffee. You've had quite a shock."
     She nods and lets him lead her to the kitchen. She sits at the table and after awhile he sets a hot cup of coffee down in front of her. He takes her hand again, as if he cannot bear to not touch her. They say nothing for a long time, enjoying the peace they feel at being in each other's presence. 'Everything has changed,' Melinda thinks suddenly to herself. 'My life will never be the same again.'
     Wayne finally stands up reluctantly. "I should watch over your grandmother," he says. "It's well into my shift. I think we both overslept." He points to the clock on the wall. "It's almost 1 already."
     She stands, too. "I should probably get to bed," she says. "It's not very comfortable to sleep in a cha-" She stops suddenly, as if she has been cut off. Her eyes grow wide and she looks at Wayne. "Did you hear that?" she whispers. "Above us… There are footsteps. Do you think grandmother… or someone… something else…" she trails off, her voice low in fear.
     Wayne doesn't hesitate. Before she knows it he is upstairs, Melinda close on his heels. They peek into her grandmother's bedroom and see the older woman sleeping peacefully in her bed. Just as Melinda opens her mouth to say she must have been mistaken in what she heard, they hear a door across the other side of the house slam shut. And then the moaning begins.
     Melinda starts to shake. Her blood feels like chunks of ice flowing through her veins. She takes off in the direction of the sounds and ends up in the guest bedroom. The moaning sound is coming from behind the bookcase.

     She reaches out, feeling the dusty books under her fingers. There is something behind that shelf. And then she finds the latch, neatly hidden on the side of the lower shelf, between a battered lamp and a picture frame. She pulls it and watches in astonishment as the bookcase swings open before her.

     She jumps when she feels a hand on her shoulder. "It's me, Melinda," Wayne whispers. "I'm right behind you." She turns around and looks into his eyes, trying to find the courage to step through the newly discovered doorway. "Stay with me," she whispers. "Don't leave me alone."