CHAPTER 8

WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS...

07-11-2002

The light from the streetlight outside the window shone through the window, the lace curtains diffusing it, causing it to take a soft, dim, glow.

Part of the light fell on a crib, a tiny infant slowly falling asleep in it whilst standing beside it, a young mother sang softly to her firstborn....

"...and when the bought breaks, the cradle will fall, and down with come baby, cradle and all...."

The mother reached into the crib, and adjusted a blanket over the now-sleeping baby, to keep it warm through the night. She bent down, and lightly planted a kiss on the baby's forehead, then, straightening up, headed to the bedroom door, opened it, and stepped out into the hallway.

...and as she closed the door, out of the shadows of the corner where he had been standing quietly, I stepped forth, his footsteps silent on the rug. He began approaching the crib....