Bear’s low growl wakes me. The day of shopping wore me out, and I pretty much fell onto the couch as soon as we got home. I must’ve passed out hard since now it’s full dark out. I check my phone charging beside me—almost midnight. I sit up on the couch and peer into the blackness. Since the first night, Jack’s started to leave the bathroom light on. The glow from down the hall is just bright enough to see there’s nothing in the darkness.
Bear growls again and begins to pace at the back door. I get up to let him out thinking he’s seen a cat or raccoon in the yard when the light from the outside catches my attention.
Quietly, I peer through the back window and catch a glimpse of Jack talking to another man. It’s too dark to make out any features, and if I hadn’t recognized his height and p
