Intrusion | 3

This was different from the first two.

When I finally dared to read it, there was no threat. No ransom. Just a single, handwritten line: intrusion 3

The first was a thief—crude, violent, all adrenaline and shattered glass. He took the television and left a smear of blood on the curtain. The second was a ghost (or so I told myself), a draft that moved pictures on the wall and left faucets dripping. This was different from the first two

“You left the back door unlocked again, Sarah.” intrusion 3

It didn’t break the window. It didn’t kick the door. That would have been a relief.

I live alone. And my name is not Sarah.