Today's OneWord: Steps

Heather took three tiny steps from her bed, then three more tiny steps toward the door. She heard three tiny scratches against the wooden frame. Always threes with her. She waited for synchronized rattling, harsh breathing, coming out in tripulets and triads like violently suffocated music.

She pushed her polished fingers into the knob but didn't turn it. Three tiny breaths. Three tiny steps. But not from her. From outside.