Every evening in the cool twilight breeze, I find myself taking the same stroll through the backstreets and alleyways of the city to my apartment. Every evening, the sun relieves my eyes from revealing the world around me and lets my mind take over. Every evening, I see that same toothy frown.

In the dark second-story window of an apartment on my route, I've always been curious as to what exactly is making that terrible grimace. It's probably just some doll or perhaps a painting; though, benign as I'm sure it is, I have to say it certainly sends shivers down my spine to look at it. Large human teeth stretched almost halfway across the window-pane. It's an absolutely massive mouth for any person or animal I've ever seen and so I'm sure it's just a toy, but... Who would make a toy that simply frowns all the time? I wonder if that's why the owner has left it facing outside. I can hardly bare to look at it from the street; I couldn't imagine how terrible it looks up close. Why then, would he keep it? A family heirloom? Yes, that must be it. It's nothing more than some old doll passed down through the generations and the owner couldn't bare to part with it.

What is it, though? I've seen it dozens of times I know, but I could never figure out precisely what it's supposed to be. The street lamps will be lit soon and by that time, I'm sure it will be too dark to get a good look. It's too late to bother the family inside, so perhaps I'll just take a few steps closer to inspect it and be on my way. However, it's the strangest thing... As I get closer, the frown seems to get larger. Not just by reference but it seems to be stretching farther across the window... Could it be alive after all? No, that's silly. It sits so still in the window, surely my mind is just playing the same old tricks, but... there's something more. Strange details appear to be taking shape under the frown. I should get closer.

The lamps are being lit one-by-one now. The first illuminates the street just enough so I can still see the grimacing teeth spanning the window. I take a step closer but still, it's so dark. Another is lit and I can see the glimmer off of those strange details around it. I cross the street but in this darkness, I fear that no matter how close I get, I'll never figure out what it is. I'm becoming so curious, however, that it's almost hypnotizing. The frown gets larger and seemingly more sinister and I swear I can just make out the details on its face. I feel as though I'm just starting to make sense of it, but... Well, now I can't see anything! I look around and my vision is beginning to fade. I'm afraid I'll lose consciousness any second so I try to look for someone to help me but no one is there except complete and utter darkness! The whole world seems to fade away and I would certainly panic if I didn't feel so sluggish; so... drowsy.

I regain my senses to a terrible headache and blurred vision but slowly, very slowly, my eyes begin to correct themselves. I think I can see the street lamps again but they're... behind the window pane. Clearer still and in the window, I see what appears to be a man staring at me but it's all upside down. The street, the lamps, the buildings, it's all upside down. Everything is still too fuzzy make out the face of the man, but staring back at me, he straightens his tie while a smile creeps across his face. He begins to walk away and I try to ask him for help but I can't seem to move a single muscle in my body. I'm forced to wait for what seems like hours, upside down and completely paralyzed until someone finally comes along. I must get his attention, but no matter how hard I try, it seems I can only barely move my lips.

Perhaps, if I smile at him...