11. Someone in the House?

Edith faced a dilemma: retreat to the basement, call out, or confront a possible intruder. Approaching the partially open living room door, she steadied herself and pushed it open. The room was empty, lit only by the faint glow from outside. Despite this, she felt an unmistakable presence, her skin tingling with alertness. Her eyes swept the room, finding nothing amiss, yet the sensation of being watched lingered unnervingly. Suddenly, she realized she hadn’t heard the front door open or close. The intruder, or whatever it was, might still be inside. Fueled by adrenaline, Edith hurried to her bedroom, locking the door behind her, her mind racing with fear and confusion.