She Knew Where He Is

Mandy didn’t need to search for James; she knew exactly where he would be. Sure enough, she found him crouched by the vent, his eyes fixated on it with an intensity that sent a chill down her spine. He looked unhinged, as though the sleepless night and his growing obsession had pushed him to the brink. His hands hovered near the vent, trembling slightly, as if he were debating whether to try prying it open again despite his earlier failure. The sight of him like this—so consumed, so far from the man she knew—made her heart ache.

Taking a deep breath, Mandy approached him slowly, her steps measured and deliberate. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, her touch soft but firm enough to pull him out of his trance. “James,” she said quietly, her voice steady, “come back to bed. You need to rest. This has gone far enough.” He hesitated for a moment, his gaze still locked on the vent, but eventually, he let out a shuddering breath and nodded. Mandy guided him away, her hand never leaving his shoulder. As they walked back to the bedroom, she knew deep down that this couldn’t go on any longer. Whatever was happening in their home, whatever secrets the vent held, it had to end—tonight.