The Man In The Mask

Based on a true story:

Amy was just six, when Eve came to stay with her mother. They hadn't seen each other for at least a year, so had a lot to catch up on. They all met when they were based overseas, when Amy was just a baby, and they had always kept in touch.

It was early evening and they had just finished supper. Amy was now safely tucked up in bed. It had been a great day playing in the park after school and reminiscing on past events with her and Frank.

Eve wanted to know if Claire still took part in her spiritualist circle. It was something that always intrigued her, but also frightened her a little, that veil between life and death. Eve once visited a spiritualist medium when she was twenty, with her two close friends and was told then that she had the gift, that she too should join a circle. Eve on occasion had the indescribable sensation that someone was there and countless feelings of déjà vu.

So Claire began to tell her about recent events. Amy had started to have nightmares and on one occasion had come sobbing into their room about a man who was frightening her. He had a dark face and was breathing funny. She didn't like it. Claire just dismissed it as another bad dream, comforted Amy and sent her back to her room. But it happened the next night too, but this time she was inconsolable and protested that it wasn't a dream and he was really there in her room. Claire relented and let her sleep in hers and Franks bed. Claire was a mum who was straight down the line, no nonsense and dealt with issues head on. She knew Amy wouldn't make it up.
The next night the same happened. Amy's description for a six year old was so clear. The man had big dark round eyes, no mouth, but looked a bit like an elephant and was making a noise that frightened her. She believed her and they both went back to the room hand in hand. There was no one there but Claire felt a presence, not a threatening one, but a presence none the less. By now Amy had calmed down, thankful that her mum was there. She was very bright for her age, mature and knew her mum was able to hear spirits.
"If he comes to visit again, just tell him you don't like the noise, that it frightens you and to go away. He's not a bad man. He's just lonely"
To anyone else this would sound absurd, but to Amy, she understood.

Claire slept lightly the next night, uncomfortable because of the summer heat. She heard Amy stir, she could hear muffled cry, and then
" My mummy says that your lonely, but your frightening me and I don't like the noise your making. Can you please go away?"
Then there was silence and the sound of Amy turning around in her bed.

"So that was it?" Eve asked.

"Yes" explained Claire. He never bothered her again. Claire and Frank lived in military married quarters and the man Amy had saw had been wearing a gas mask, that's why his breathing sounded frightening to her.
Eve felt a little shudder go through the length of her body.
It was late now, and it was time for bed.
"I should let you know there's a picture of him on the wall in the spare room" Claire hesitantly said.
Eve's face must have said it all.
"They're spiritualist drawings on the wall".
She knew it was irrational but she said " please could you take them down?"
Although the drawings had been taken off the wall, Eve slept with the bedside light on all night waiting for the sound of that strange breathing.