>>5470090 >>5470637 >>5471416Fleeing now would be a bit of an overreaction, to say the least. What if it doesn't try to break through the door at all? What if it decides that it's too much trouble and heads back downstairs, catching sight of you on the way down? You at least need to know that there is a reason to escape before you do so. But at the same time you can't leave too late. If the thing gets into your room while you're on the rope, then it could simply untie the rope from the anchor and send you plummeting, or worse, go to wait for you at the bottom.
The risks of both extremes considered, it seems best to start going when door seems to be 'giving' a little. At that point it should be focused on trying to break in, and hopefully won't notice that you're trying to leave. Decision made, you're broken out of your thoughts by a final creak of the stairs, near the top. It is on the second floor.
You still your movements and slow your breath. If you could, you would just disappear, but unfortunately you are stuck right here right now- because this is reality. There is no chance for escapism. You have to face up to this.
A sound from next door- it's trying to enter the bathroom, but the door is locked. You didn't hear it try to enter your uncle's bedroom. Perhaps it purposely avoided it? It tries to open the door again. You hear it speak, more quietly this time. "Edwaaaard. Let me in." More important than the several abrupt changes in pitch it makes while saying Edward is the name itself. You can't pin it down, but you feel like you've heard it recently. Well of course you have- it's a pretty common name- but in a context that was important.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. It bangs on the bathroom door. This repeats one, two more times, before you hear it move down the hallway again... to your door. You hear it try to push the door, the only real, solid barrier between the two of you, open. It fails. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. Even though you expect it, it almost makes you jump. "Doooo you hate mee Edwaard?" The voice sounds markedly sad now. And... god that name is bothering you. Edward. Is that your uncle's name? You think that it could be, but it could also just be your first assumption given that, well, you're in his house and all this started happening. The last time you actually heard his name was... hell, months ago at least, so you can't be sure. Still, you can't think of anything else that would make sense.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. And there goes your train of thought. Instead of pursuing it again you just stand there, staring at the door. After what feels like ages but is likely only a minute or two, another set of knocks can be heard. And then, finally, it moves away. A few seconds later you hear the door to the study open.
