The man in the dark.

Scarlett exhaled deeply as soon as she entered the house. The living room lights were off, and so it was dark. She leaned against the door and let out a sigh.

“It must have been an exhausting day.”

She turned around startled. She was fidgety as she searched for the switch. As the light came on, she saw Jaxon sitting on the couch, his legs spread open before him, as if it was normal for him to be seated in her locked house in the dark.

“What are you doing here, Jaxon?” she asked, looking around. “Where’s my mother? How did you get in here?”

He shrugged nonchalantly, “None of that matters…”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “You’re seated in my house in the dark. I didn’t even think you knew where I lived! How did you get in?” She dropped her bag on the table and walked into the house, calling out, “Mother! Mother! Are you here?”

He sat down quietly, waiting for her as she flung doors open and shut them. As soon as she appeared at the