The uninvited.

She lay on the sofa with her husband knelt next to her, holding her hand. He spoke words to her but she couldn't hear him for the old man who stood in the corner screaming at her. How could he not see or hear him, not feel the evil that surrounded him like black fog.
As her fear rose the old man moved forward, his screams and threats becoming more vile.

When the old man had first appeared in the room she had screamed back at his insult, she hadn't realised her husband had come to her side and when he grabbed her hand she had lashed out before finally being able to see him and the concern on his face.
"I can't make him go away,"she sobbed "he's too strong for me." she sobbed as the old man loomed over her.
"Tell him to come after me, if he's not too scared that is." Her husband said looking around the empty room "If he's too scared to come for me then there is no way he is strong enough to face you."
The words cut through her fear and old man stepped back his screams stopping, a look of doubt on his face. He pulled back to the corner and watched, hatred in his eyes.
"Concentrate on me." her husband said taking her face in his hands "We've phoned for an ambulance and they'll look after you."
"Why can't you see him?" She sobbed looking over her husbands shoulder to where the old man still lurked.
"I just can't but remember how strong you are, you've been fighting this for years and every time you win. You are stronger than him and you will banish him back into the shadows of your mind again." Her husband said with a smile.
"He still won't leave, he's waiting and grumbling, waiting to attack again." She said, her fear still real.
"He's just too stupid to know when to quit, that's all." Her husband replied.

Auditory hallucinations seem very real to those who suffer them and can occur when lithium levels become too high or too low.
Recognising the signs and getting medical help while giving what comfort you can can save a life.