Every sound in the house, even the buzz of the refrigerator and the creak of the floors, was louder than usual because of the quiet. My hunger for anything or someone kept me from falling asleep. I became aware of the light beneath the kitchen doorway at that moment, the dim radiance leaking into the hallway.

Intrigued, I crept closer, taking a quick look inside. They were lounging on the counter, rifling through the refrigerator as if they were the owners. However, the way the faint light fell on their skin, bringing out each line and curve, made it hard to concentrate on the food. My heart raced.

“Not able...