Night Visit

Charlotte was startled awake but she didn't know by what, she lay on her back staring up at the ceiling thinking about nothing in particular. A soft thud at the window drew her attention and she turned on her side to get a better look. She heard it again and sat up, rubbing her eyes as she strained to see the cause of the noise. The third time she heard it, she climbed out of bed and padded silently across the floor to the window.

The moon was full and bright, its radiant light casting a warm bluish hue over everything below. Narrow beams of moonlight penetrated through the open curtains and Charlotte parted the curtains wide inviting more light to spill into the room. She stood in front of the window, staring at the balcony outside when movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention.

She gasped, feeling her breath catch in her throat as her eyes focused on the figure standing at the very edge of the small balcony. He was half concealed by shadows and he was so still that