Gemotions

The doorbell's chime was a shrill, unwelcome intrusion. Sarah peeked through the peephole. A delivery driver, holding a large, rectangular box. Her stomach churned. She'd been jumpy all day, ever since that phone call from the hospital. The package was addressed to "J. Davies," the previous tenant.

She took a step back, her back hitting the cold wall. She felt like her heart had leaped into her throat. This was not the day for unexpected visitors.

"Just leave it," she croaked through the closed door, her voice sounding thin and reedy. The driver just left it anyway, right on the doorstep. Sarah, barely breathing, peered through the peephole again, then slowly, very slowly, unlocked the deadbolt.