“What? No. I can’t leave!” Jeremy’s tone was firm, his gaze locking onto hers like she was the one losing it. “This is my first apartment, Lucy. My first. I poured every last cent of my savings into this place. Paid two months up front. Ain’t no way I’m just packing up and leaving.”

Lucy’s voice broke like a cracked plate. “Jeremy! Look at this!" She pointed to the clawed wall. "What does it look like to you? Is this normal?” Her words rang with so much raw emotion it almost sounded unhinged.

He gave the wall a glance, just enough to get goosebumps and shudder, then shrugged it off....