When they opened the door they didn’t find the scene they expected. You’re old and you’re faded and you’re on the shelf. Laughter down blind alleys. When she whispers her lips pucker and she looks sort of foolish and affected. The light flickering in the hallway. Let’s try to get this straight. It wasn’t what they, what we expected, not the same at all. They thought at first that someone had tampered with the lights (though why anyone would do that is beyond me), but on closer inspection it appeared that the problem was with the electrical supply to the whole building. Stupid old duffer. When the rats scratch along the skirting board Max, feverishly asleep in his little bed, has nightmares. They didn’t open they door: I did. When I asked her what she was doing (it wasn’t even her house, not really), she took my hand and said I want you to fuck me. Will someone do something about that light? It’s driving me mad. At the end of the hallway, in the locked room: a woman, laughing, laughing. This is no joking matter, young lady. Max can’t sleep: he has bad dreams.

This is the 4th part of the House series. To see the whole sequence so far, click here.

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