The small town stayed quiet that night, the kind of quiet that made everything feel far away from the chaos of the city.
Rebecca was in the kitchen with the elderly woman, drying dishes after dinner. The warm light above them made the room feel safe, ordinary—almost untouched by anything dangerous.
Her phone buzzed again.
Damian’s name.
She smiled faintly before answering.
“Hey.”
His voice was calm, as always.
“Are you inside?”
“Yes. Just finished helping Grandma.”
A pause.
“Lock your doors tonight,” Damian said.
Rebecca frowned slightly. “Why? Is something wrong?”
“Just precaution,” he replied. “Nothing you need to worry about.”
She hesitated, then nodded even though he couldn’t see her.
“Okay.”
“Good,” Damian said softly. “I’ll call you later.”
And then the line ended.
R
