Chapter 1

In 1978, I lived in a rural community in Northern Michigan, where a car passed by my house approximately five times a night.  It was wooded and lovely but defintely remote.  The mobile home I lived in with my two small children was neat and clean.  Although about 10 years old, it had sturdy floors and a suitable kitchen.  Heather and Spencer slept in the bedroom located just inside the back door; I slept on a double bed which I'd set up in the tiny living room.

One cold winter's night, Heather, now three years old, was snuggled up next to me sound asleep.  We'd enjoyed several minutes of reading together when she could no longer keep her eyes open.  Since she was comfortably snoozing, I just left her to sleep with me rather than taking her back to her own bed.  I then tiptoed down the hall to make sure that Spencer was still tucked in and warm.  Once I was convinced that he was comfortable as well, I returned to my bed exhausted from the long day.

I drifted off quickly and felt as though I'd only just closed my eyes when I heard footsteps.  These footsteps were banging loudly in the silence, and in horror, I realized they were coming from inside my house and across the linoleum kitchen floor!  As I cleared the cobwebs from my sleepy head, I called out, "Who is it?"  There was no response.  Again, I cried more frantically, "Who's there?"  But no one answered.

The next thing I knew, a shadowy figure appeared at the foot of my bed.  It was very, very dark, but I could see that he was of medium height and stocky build.  I know my voice was shaking as I croaked, "What do you want!?"  And then, without a word, he headed straight for my bed.