I opened the door just a crack.

"Hello!" I called to the two people outside.

A young investigator smiled and squatted down a little so that he was at my eye level. "Hello," he said. He had a gentle voice, and spoke with a kind tone. "Are your parents home?"

"Just Mommy," I stated, looking him straight into his eyes. "But she's sleeping."

"I'm sorry, but could you please wake her?" interrupted the second investigator. Unlike his partner, his voice was rough like sandpaper. "This is an urgent matter."

"Mommy doesn't like to be woken," I replied, my tone taking on a hard edge. "And besides, I'm not supposed to be opening the door to strangers like you in the first place..."

"Well we're glad you did," said the kind one, oblivious to the malice behind my statement. "Because we're not strangers. We're nice people. We're here to help with anything that may need... getting rid of! So please let us in and wake your mommy, 'kay?"

Was this some kind of insult?, I snarled inside my head. 'Nice people?' Please. I resisted the urge to lash out, and instead forced myself to light up into a smile. "Okay!" I said cheerily as I undid the chain lock and pulled opened the door. The investigators exchanged a glance and stepped inside. I closed the door behind them.

Click, went the lock.

A grin spread over my face as I fought to keep my eyes and my laughter under control. I guess I won't have to wait until tonight after all...