It was unusually dark by six that evening, and it was so windy, the windows rattled from time to time. Ariel pulled the purple afghan around her shoulders, suddenly chilly. She wasn't fond of darkness, and the sound of the wind combined with the rattling windows unnerved her. She'd had a couple of cups of tea and was trying to concentrate on Breakfast at Tiffany's (her favorite movie), but she was still feeling irritable and now, a bit edgy.
She switched off the television and as she moved to return the remote control to the end table, she noticed a movement out of the corner of her eye.
Ariel sat in a big, comfy, built-for-two overstuffed chair that was positioned adjoining the sofa in an L shape, and the movement she thought she'd seen was under the edge of the sofa. She stood, and taking a few steps forward, dropped to her knees, bending down to peek under the sofa.
With a sharp intake of breath, she stood quickly. Two little eyes had peered back at her down there. Ariel was startled. She wasn't afraid of animals, not even mice, but she was caught off guard.
