The drumming stops and starts again. All night it’s kept me awake. A constant, measured thump, like the swinging of a pendulum, unnoticeable until you listen for it. It almost lulls me to sleep, but I make it a point not to sleep in strangers’ beds.

Never mind that we’ve already had sex.

His arms still firmly hooked around my waist, as if he doesn’t want me to leave, but I pull myself up, feel around the floor for my dress.

It’s while I’m on my hands and knees that the sound gets louder, and I realize it’s coming from underneath.

—Nortina

The A to Z Challenge is back, and this year, I’m giving you 26 drabbles (~100-word stories) using some of my favorite unused or underused tags.

Today’s tag is “creepy basement.”

I haven’t decided if all these stories will be connected, but after three posts, it’s looking probable…

Stay tuned for “D” tomorrow.