On Sunday night, we were back home and I was back in my secret hiding place.

Hannah was at her desk doing homework. I couldn’t see her, but I could hear her turning pages.

I felt really good. I didn’t care what people thought of my hair anymore. And I wasn’t scared of Hannah. Short hair made me feel like a different person.

I picked up an old sneaker from the bottom of Hannah’s wardrobe and threw it into Hannah’s room. I couldn’t throw very well because I could only move my wrist, but I heard it thump on the carpet.

Straight away I heard Hannah gasp.

I leant back into the wall, but I couldn’t hear anything.

Then I heard Hannah stand up. I could hear her breathing, as she crouched on the end of her bed, facing the wardrobe.

I thought quickly. This was it. Time for the real fun.

I moved my feet to get balanced, then I thumped my hip against the side of Hannah’s wardrobe.

Thud.

Hannah gasped again and crawled backwards to the top of her bed.

I did it again.

Thud.

Then I let out a growl from the back of my throat, ‘Grrrrrrruuuugh… ’

I saw the bed move as Hannah climbed off. I couldn’t see her now, but I heard her bedroom door open.

Where was she going?

Suddenly the light turned on in my bedroom. Hannah was checking my room! Clever Hannah.

I pushed back into the wall, trying to be as small as possible. The gap into my bedroom was right near my shoulder and my wardrobe door was open. She would notice me for sure.

I couldn’t see Hannah but I could hear her breathing as she looked in my wardrobe.

I stayed very still.

This was it.

Hannah was about to catch me.

I waited for Hannah to say something. But she didn’t. Instead she turned out my bedroom light, and was gone. I heard the hall door open and then shut.

I breathed out and leant against the wall. I couldn’t believe Hannah hadn’t seen my shoulder through the gap.

I slipped out of the hiding spot and spent a few minutes in the bathroom. Then I went to find Hannah.

She was sitting in the lounge room. She was very still. Her face was white and her eyes were big. Then she saw me.

‘Where have you been?’ Hannah asked, but she sounded glad to see me.

‘In the bathroom,’ I said. I wasn’t sure if she’d believe me but I switched on the TV and sat in the best chair.

Hannah nodded and tried to smile.

‘Aren’t you meant to be doing your homework?’ I said. I tried to sound normal, but I wasn’t used to talking to Hannah anymore. Hannah nodded again.

‘I think I’ll do it out here,’ she said. But she didn’t go and get her homework. She didn’t move.

I pretended to watch TV, but my mind was racing. Hannah looked really scared. She had even forgotten not to talk to me.

I sat there, feeling a bit bad. I hadn’t meant to scare Hannah this much. I just wanted to annoy her. I always thought she would work out it was me. I just wanted her to stop ignoring me. That was all.

Suddenly it had all gone too far.