The girl was trembling with fear as her grandfather covered her mouth with his hand. Her eyes were wide, reflecting the terror that was coursing through her little body.
-Shh, quiet, baby, -whispered the old man.- Don't make a sound, you don't want Grandma to notice. We must be quiet.
Huddled under the table, they watched as Grandma, axe in hand, wandered around the house. Her erratic footsteps and gasping breaths indicated that something strange was going on.
Her grey, dishevelled hair framed a haggard face, with reddened, vacant eyes that moved frantically, as if searching for something.
-Where are they? -I know they're here! I saw them come in, you damned intruders!
The sharp edge of the axe cut through the air as she swung the weapon, occasionally hitting the furniture and leaving deep marks in the wood.
The girl closed her eyes tightly, covering her mouth so as not to make a sound that might give them away. Grandfather hugged her tightly, his heart pounding.
Suddenly, a piercing scream and the thud of the axe hitting the wall broke the silence. Grandma fell to her knees, sobbing. Her terrified wail filled the house.
Grandfather seized the opportunity. Stealthily, he dragged the girl towards the back door, avoiding every creak of the floor. The terrified girl clung to his hand as they escaped through the undergrowth of the garden, away from the house.
Behind them, her grandmother's broken laughter was lost in the darkness of the night, like an ominous echo that would haunt them forever.