Sarah's heart was racing as she looked around the room for any sign of the figure. But it was nowhere to be seen. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, and she could hear her own breathing becoming more and more rapid.
Michael's voice broke through her thoughts. "We have to find another way out of here," he said urgently. "We can't stay here any longer."
Sarah nodded, but her legs felt like lead. She forced herself to take a step forward, but her foot caught on a loose floorboard, and she stumbled. Michael caught her, but as he did, they both heard a low growl coming from somewhere in the room.
Sarah froze. The growl turned into a snarl, and she could hear something moving closer to them. It was coming from the darkness, and she couldn't see anything. But she knew that whatever it was, it was dangerous.
Michael's grip on her arm tightened. "We have to go, now," he said urgently.
Sarah nodded, and they started to move towards the window. But as they got closer, they could see that something was blocking their way. It was a shadowy figure, almost as tall as the ceiling, with glowing red eyes.
Sarah's breath caught in her throat. She couldn't move, couldn't speak. The figure started to move towards them, its steps slow and deliberate.
Michael pushed her towards the wall. "Get out of here," he said. "I'll hold it off."
Sarah shook her head, but Michael was already moving towards the figure. She watched in horror as he threw himself at it, but his hands went straight through the shadow. The figure turned towards him, and Sarah could see its mouth open wide, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth.
Sarah knew she had to do something. She looked around the room, searching for anything she could use as a weapon. And then she saw it – a broken piece of furniture, sharp and jagged.
She grabbed it, and as the figure lunged towards Michael, she charged towards it, screaming at the top of her lungs. The figure turned towards her, and Sarah swung the piece of wood with all her strength. It hit the figure squarely in the chest, and there was a loud crack.
The figure disappeared, and Sarah collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. Michael rushed towards her, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"We have to get out of here," he said urgently. "Before it comes back."
Sarah nodded, and they made their way towards the window. They jumped out into the night, their feet hitting the ground with a thud. They ran towards the safety of the town, the sound of their own ragged breathing filling their ears.
As they reached the edge of the town, Sarah turned back towards the mansion. It was still there, looming in the darkness. But now she knew the truth about the Haunted House. And she knew that she could never go back there again.