That night a powerful storm hounded the orphanage, knocking out all its power. Cleaning was cancelled for Matthew so he could go to the attic and tend to the buckets filling up with water seeping through the roof.

The attic was a dank and cluttered mess. There were broken statues, ripped paintings, rusty tools, old furniture, a suit-of-arms, you name it. It gave Matthew the willies. At least he had a flashlight. Although, the shadows it cast all looked like hideous creatures ready to pounce.

A bolt of lightning lit up the attic's large circular window, followed by a loud boom of thunder.

Matthew almost jumped out of his nonexistent socks. He suddenly jerked his flashlight, pointing its beam to the far end of the attic. He was sure he had seen something move. Then, there was a loud thud behind him. He swiveled around so fast his flashlight flew out of his hand and skipped across the floor.

Matthew retrieved the flashlight before illuminating the circular window. Something had hit it and it was still stuck to it. The thing was white. It looked like the head of a mop. The wind must be wicked outside, he thought. He went to get a closer look, putting his nose right up to the window. Was it the head of a mop? Or was it a wig?

There was a flash of lightning and, for a second, Matthew thought he had seen something in the orphanage's driveway.

Again, the sky was lit up, this time for a whole minute. Lighting bolt after lightning bolt came one after the other.

Matthew had indeed seen something and that something were four somethings. Miss Smart, Miss Brock, Mr Xavier and Mr Reed were standing shoulder to shoulder.

Why were they out in this crazy storm? Have they come for another nightly visit? Did Miss Thorn know this time?

All of sudden, something unexpected happened that made Matthew's mouth drop. The visitors started to run toward the orphanage. People who needed canes to walk were running like the wind.

Fear soon shot through his body. 'Are those crossbows?'

The lightning torrent ceased and outside turned dark again.

What in the world, Matthew said to himself, stepping back from the window. What was happening? Did Miss Smart, Miss Brock, Mr Xavier and Mr Reed want to harm him. He had to get out of there.

From the attic, Matthew descended a set of stairs to a narrow and bare hallway, doors to supply rooms on either side. He then ran as fast as he could to the other end, to a landing.

'What do you think you're doing?' It was Mrs Jacobs and she had grabbed Matthew's wrist. 'I said, what do you think you're doing?'

'There are people outside,' Matthew stuttered, for he was being shaken, 'Mr Reed and his friends. They have weapons.'

'Preposterous. You're in very big trouble.'

Mrs Jacobs dragged Matthew down three staircases to the first floor and to Miss Thorn's office, which was lit by several candles. Miss Thorn was there, sitting behind her desk, and so too was Mr Jacobs. He was fiddling around with the fuse box behind her.

'What is the meaning of this?' Miss Thorn looked angry at Matthew's presence.

'This little runt left the attic,' said Mrs Jacobs.

'It's Mr Reed and his friends,' Matthew sputtered.

'What about them?' asked Miss Thorn.

'They're outside and they have weapons.'

'What is this idiocy?' Miss Thorn then sprang over her desk like a crazed gorilla and over to Matthew. 'Get back up to the attic.' Spit was flying from her mouth.

Just then, a vase somewhere in the orphanage smashed to the floor, making everyone dart their eyes toward the office door.

'I wasn't lying, ma'am,' said Matthew. 'That could be them. They could be inside.'

'Everyone, with me,' said Miss Thorn.

She was about to lead Mr and Mrs Jacobs out of the office to investigate when the door instantly flew open. Matthew then watched Miss Smart (now with dark hair), Miss Brock, Mr Xavier and Mr Reed shuffle in, their crossbows raised.

'Nobody move,' said Miss Smart, and in a very different voice. 'And hands up.'

Already frozen to the ground, Matthew, and Mr and Mrs Jacobs stuck up their hands. Miss Thorn did not. She instead staggered backwards, moving towards her desk.

Miss Smart pointed her crossbow at Miss Thorn, 'I said, nobody move.'

Again, Miss Thorn took no notice.

Seeing Miss Smart put her finger on her crossbow's trigger, Matthew closed his eyes. He knew what she was going to do.

A sharp twanging noise filled the air. Next, there was a loud thud.

Matthew couldn't believe it. Miss Smart had just killed Miss Thorn. Was he going to be next, he wondered, as Mrs Jacobs began to wail?

'Be quiet, Mrs Jacobs,' snapped Miss Smart.

Mrs Jacobs stopped crying immediately and in its place came a soft low moaning. It was Miss Thorn. She was still alive. Matthew opened his eyes and saw Miss Thorn bent over her desk with some sort of netting wrapped around her.

'For the last time, no-one move or things will start getting nasty,' Mr Xavier said angrily. His voice was completely different too. Miss Brock and Mr Reed's voices would follow the trend.

'Thank goodness you breaking that vase didn't mess this up,' said Miss Brock. She was looking straight at Mr Reed and shaking her head.

'I said I was sorry,' said Mr Reed. His voice sounded strangely familiar to Matthew. 'I didn't mean to. Seriously, give it a rest. How many times does someone have to say sorry in one day? Sorry I smashed the vase. Sorry I accidentally kicked you in the head this morning.'

'Enough, you two,' said Miss Smart. 'We're in the middle of something important here.'

And what was this important thing? Were they burglers? Here to steal the garments Matthew had made?

'Who are you people?' asked Miss Thorn.

'We,' said Mr Xavier, 'we are your worst nightmare.'

Mr Reed stifled a giggle.

Miss Thorn stood up straight and tried desperately to free herself. She almost succeeded. 

Matthew didn't see who had shot it but he saw something whip through the air. And as it closed in on Miss Thorn, a net sprang from it.

Miss Thorn groaned as she was ensnared a second time.

'Now,' said Miss Smart, 'down to business.'

Mr Xavier and Mr Reed went over to Mr and Mrs Jacobs and quickly tied them up with rope. They and with help from Miss Brock then led them and Miss Thorn out of the office.

The three quickly returned.

'All secure in the next room,' said Mr Reed.

Matthew wondered why he hadn't been taken.

'Good,' said Miss Smart. 'Let's do it, shall we.'

Do what? Matthew didn't like this one bit.

Suddenly, Miss Smart, Miss Brock, Mr Xavier and Mr Reed grabbed their faces, their wrinkles and flaps of skin, and began to pull. Matthew only saw a glimpse of ripping before he shut his eyes for the second time, his heart racing uncontrollably. Were they monsters, aliens, vampires in disguise? Were they about to eat him? He wanted to run away, but he couldn't move.