The text came at 12:01 a.m.

Leave the back door open.

Six words. That was all. But my whole body went hot, my heart pounding like it wanted out of my chest. I stared at the screen, lips parted, bare legs curled under my blanket. My hand shook as I typed back, so slow, like if I didn’t send it, I could still pretend this wasn’t happening.

O-okay.

The reply looked stupid. Too small. Too eager. But my thumb had already pressed send.

I crept out of bed, bare feet whispering against the floorboards, nightshirt clinging to my thighs. The house was quiet, so quiet, every sound louder than it...