“Mummy?”
    Silence.
    The child took a tentative step.
    “Mummy?” This time, louder.
    Silence.
    Hesitantly, the child laid its hand upon the doorknob.
    “Mummy?”
    Silence.
    The door reluctantly opened a crack.
    “Mummy?” Holding back tears.
    Silence.
    Doubtfully, it swung open all the way.
    “Mummy?” With a waver.
    Silence.
    Through the door, dubiously padding across the slick mahogany.
“Mummy?” Softly.
Silence.
Ambivalently tiptoeing to the victim.
“Mummy?” Softer.
Silence.
With indecision, the child’s lips parted.
“Mummy?” Softer still.
As the child’s fangs sank surely into her throat, a response: a choked scream.
“Mummy.”