LESLIE

My stepfather's house always felt like the actual tomb it was whenever my mother was away on business. But tonight, the silence was particularly heavy. It felt somewhat mournful. Plus I'd been having this unsettling feeling, and something in my gut told me I wasn't safe.

Suddenly, I heard a low grumbling sound in my stomach.

Was this why I felt uneasy?

Maybe I was just having these silly thoughts because I was hungry.

It was nearly one in the morning, and I wasn't sure there'd be anything edible in the kitchen even if I went downstairs. Just when I thought I'd just sleep the hunger off, my stomach...