217 Babel Street | Stairwell
Alicia turned to see who was there. The footsteps ceased, and yet a shadow flitted across the garden. "Who is it?" she called. "Show yourself." Silence, only the wind blowing through the tall grasses. Only the night birds crying. She walked back to the stairs, wondering if she would ever get to see the Very Important Person who lived on the top floor. Her feet dragged, her backpack hung loose from one shoulder. It was definitely time for a chocolate bar.
The lift doors were opening on the fourth floor. Two women emerged, one of them leaning on the other for support. They laughed together as a man stepped out from Apartment 11 to meet them. "Ladies, welcome!" he said. "My humble abode." Alicia watched the three of them going into the apartment.
The third floor light was playing up again. She managed only one more step before it failed completely. Darkness clung to her. Quickly, she pulled out her special Harry Potter torch. The beam flicked here and there on the stairs as she descended, but the landing below seemed to be moving further away with every step. The air turned cold. And then a noise came from behind and she froze, and held her breath tightly. A red and white football bounced slowly down the stairs, passing her, before coming to rest against the wall below. Alicia dared to turn round.
A young boy was standing there, a few steps above her. His eyes glistened in the dark.