Murder

A searing heat hit the back of my throat and seemed to burn deep into my lungs; my chest constricted and I became aware of a pressing weight upon my neck, small hands- but deathly strong wringing my neck- squeezing the life from my lungs. I opened my eyes and stared into the clinging darkness- there was nothing there- I could not see the faintest flicker of light or even shadow. All there was was a nothingness too close but too far away. It was swallowing me. I reached frantically for the hands grasping my throat- to pull them away from me, but I felt only my own neck against my cold fingers. And suddenly, as silently as my murderer came, it was gone.
I lay there gasping and shaking from the apparent attack. Was my mind playing tricks on me- or was this attempt just another of my phantom ghost? The floorboards outside my door creaked, telling of a midnight visitor. The doorknob rattled; I was frozen in my bed. Rigid- staring into the engulfing darkness. The footsteps slowly died away- fainter and fainter as they descended the stairs. The heavy front door scraped shut. I had not heard it open.