I returned to the living room with my popcorn and wine, but I was feeling too chilly now to keep going around without pants. I was on my way to the stairs to get my sweatpants when I walked into the entry hall again and realized something had changed.

The screen and keypad for the security system were blinking as if they’d been reset. I typed in the code to arm the system, but the pad beeped, and ERROR flashed across its screen.

I sighed heavily, but it wasn’t worth messing with. Our neighborhood was hardly dangerous. As long as the deadbolt was locked, then —

The front door was cracked open.

I stood very still as I stared, the slightest whisper of wind squeaking in through the crack. I couldn’t remember stepping outside even once today. Did my parents forget to lock up this morning? I could have sworn it was closed only minutes ago.

I closed the door, turning the lock and the deadbolt. Goosebumps prickled over my arms, and I waited, listening intently. I knew the door had been closed. I’d walked through the hall multiple times that day and had never noticed an error on the security system.

A thump made me whip around toward the stairs, my heart pounding. A footstep? I started for the stairway but abruptly stopped myself. This was not a horror film and I was not about to become the first to die by running to investigate a mysterious noise. I hurried back into the living room and grabbed my phone.

A text from Lucas was waiting for me. Are your doors locked, fucktoy?

Cold realization dawned on me, and I cursed, the frightened tension easing out of my chest. I should have known they had something to do with this.

I texted back. Yeah, my door is locked. Why wouldn’t it be?

They thought it was funny to break-in and scare me? Oh, I’d show them something funny.

I snatched one of my mom’s magazines off the coffee table and rolled it up. I kept my phone in my hand as I crept back into the hall, all my senses on high alert. Which one of them was it? Or was it all of them? My stomach quivered with excitement, like I was playing a twisted game of hide and seek.

A message from Vincent popped up next. If a cheap lock pick kit from the joke store can get through your deadbolt, I wouldn’t trust it to still be locked, Jess.

Jason’s text followed right after. Tell your parents to replace your security system. The company hasn’t even patched a three-year-old security exploit, they can’t keep you safe.

Another soft sound came from the second floor as I started up the stairs. I tucked my phone away and gripped the rolled-up magazine a little tighter.