BOOKCASE

You stride towards the covered bookcase, but find yourself slowing to a stop before you get close. Despite how the dust sheet seems to have slipped further off the shelves, the bookcase looks darker than ever. You scour the shadows, trying to determine what exactly is setting off your internal alarm bells. As you stare, you’re struck by the certainty that the darkness around the bookcase is still growing, creeping subtly towards you. You find yourself backing away, like from a vicious animal. When you’re several steps away, you turn, telling yourself you’re only hurrying on to investigate a more important clue.