Absolute Monthly Horror Contest

Welcome, folks, to a new start in the Absolute Horror competitions! My name is Kevin, and Pennywise has allotted me the reigns to the constest while he is out on hyatus. I'm hoping to make him proud by keeping the contest going as much as possible, so please take a whack at the prompts! :D

Our first prompt is Quiet, Noir - "The only way out, is through the basement"
You don't have to include the phrase literally in the piece, so long as you SHOW me it in the plot.

Have fun!