Bonnie, his wife, materialized like a phantom from the shadows. She crept up behind him, her breath a ghostly whisper against his shoulder, before releasing a high-pitched, playful scream. Their laughter filled the room. Yet, beneath the surface, Jack’ heart still raced with disquiet. What was that sound he had heard earlier? Jack couldn’t shake his worry.

Bonnie’s well-timed joke had momentarily drowned out the enigmatic noise, leaving Jack with a gnawing curiosity. He had been on the verge of stepping outside to investigate the unsettling sound, but her surprise had derailed his pursuit.