‘Well, let’s find out. If it’s people they can help us.’ Ed walked round to the back of the car and fetched his sword from the boot. It was a big heavy-looking old thing. He started towards the house, calling out commands as he went.

‘Lewis and Kyle, you come with me. The rest of you stay here. Look after Macca. Protect him.’

Lewis and Kyle hurried to catch up with Ed as he hammered on the front door.

‘Hello,’ he called out. ‘Open up. Please. We know there’s someone in there.’

Lewis went over to one of the windows, pressed his face to the glass and shaded it with his free hand. He could see nothing inside past the net curtains, just darkness. He was considering whether to smash the glass when Ed shouted …

‘It’s open.’

Lewis ran back to him. Sure enough the front door had opened a crack. It was impossible to see anything beyond it. He looked to Ed. Ed shrugged.

‘Let’s go for it.’

Ed stepped up to the door and carefully pushed it wider. Still nothing visible beyond. Lewis walked in, his spear ready. It was dark in the hallway, a short, wide corridor leading to a large hallway, a room off to either side. As Lewis walked further in, he became aware of a brief movement off to his left. Something alive. Holding still now but definitely alive. He could sense it.

A person?

He tensed. Waiting. Held a hand out in warning as Ed pushed the door wider and came in. More light was thrown down the hallway and Lewis saw the person move, ducking into the room off to their left.

‘What is it?’ Ed asked.

‘There’s someone here,’ said Lewis. ‘Must be them’s opened the door.’

‘Hello?’ Ed called out. ‘It’s OK, we’re kids …’

‘What if they ain’t, though?’ said Lewis.

‘Then we merk them,’ said Kyle, pushing past with his heavy axe.

Ed was sniffing the air. ‘Does this feel like a sicko den to you?’ he said. ‘Does it smell like it?’

‘No,’ said Lewis. It smelt of soap and flowers and hospitals. Hadn’t smelt anything like this in a long time.

‘Smells clean,’ he said.

‘I don’t like it,’ said Kyle. ‘Ain’t natural.’

‘Hello?’ Ed called again and then turned to Lewis. ‘Which way did they go?’

‘In there.’ Lewis pointed to the door on the left and Kyle advanced towards it. Ed held him back. This time he was going in first. Kyle and Lewis stayed close behind.

There was just enough light coming through the closed shutters to see that they were in a large sitting room, with sofas and chairs, all very neat and tidy. And there was another door that must lead through to the main hallway. Ed pulled the shutters open, filling the room with dusty light.

A quick scout around showed them that there was nobody in there.