Melinda awakens with a start. She had heard something outside. Holding her breath, she strains her ears, listening for the noise again. Sure enough, she hears it again. There is a rustling sound coming from outside her window. It sounds as if someone is there… She glances quickly at the alarm clock by her bed. 3:16. She closes her eyes tightly and swallows hard. The sun wouldn't be up for another few hours…      Keeping her eyes on the window, she reaches blindly for the phone. She grabs a hold of the receiver, presses the lit up 0 and shakily brings the phone up to her ear.      "Front desk," she hears a cheery woman say.      "H-hello," she says, keeping her voice as low and quiet as possible. "Could you send a security guard to my hut, please? I think there may be someone outside. I keep hearing noises…"      "Of course!" the woman answers. "I'm sending someone right now. Try to stay calm. The guard is almost there."      "Thank you," she says, still watching the window. Thankfully, she manages to hang the phone up without making too much noise.      Before long, she sees a flashlight outside the window. And then a voice… "Hey! Get back here!"      She sees the flashlight beam bob off in pursuit of some shadowy figure. Feeling brave, Melinda sits up in bed and turns on the lamp, listening for more activity outside.      She is startled when the phone rings seconds later. Willing her hand to stop shaking, she picks it up. "Y-yes?"      "Dr. Gardenia, this is the front desk. You were right. There was a prowler outside your suite. The security guard was in pursuit, but whoever it was managed to get away. But not to worry. We have set up a security team around your room. If anyone else tries to bother you, they won't be able to get past the guards. And of course, tonight's stay is free."      "Thank you," she says quietly, toying with the phone wire.      "If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to call us."      "Thank you for taking care of this so promptly," she says, forcing her voice to sound professional. "Goodnight."      She takes a deep breath, and feels her heart slow down to its normal rhythm. She glances out the window again, this time feeling more secure knowing that her room is being monitored. 'Maybe it's time to go home,' she thinks to herself.      She forces herself to lay back down, but doesn't make a move to turn off the light. Finally, she closes her eyes and lets herself drift off into a fitful sleep.