The taller, darker man nods. “Of course,” he says, unimpressed.

“Feel free to join me,” she says, pulling the door shut behind her. Neither man says anything, but both follow closely as she heads down the hallway. She glances back every couple of seconds, their silent yet intrusive presence unnerving.

Half the doors on the floor are locked. The others lead to bathrooms, empty bedrooms, and one closet filled with winter coats. She considers grabbing a hanger as a makeshift weapon, but they’re plastic, and the guards are watching her every move.

Next, she goes downstairs and checks out the dining room, the empty kitchen that still smells like bacon, and the TV room with a flat-screen on the far wall.

She walks faster, wanting to leave the guards behind. But they keep up effortlessly. Gritting her teeth, Lynell throws open a pair of double doors to find a large parlor that faces the front lawn of the house. She walks past two couches and three chairs to stand in front of a fireplace currently void of a crackling fire. One wall is covered in bookshelves and the other is mostly windows, blinds open, filling the room with promising natural light.

Lynell picks a book off the shelf and sits in the chair closest to the fireplace.

“Do you like it here?” She’s not sure who she’s asking. The guards? The fire? Herself?

A guard answers. “Yes, ma’am.”

Lynell turns to them. It seems the shorter one answered, and she narrows her eyes. “Are you lying to me?”

He doesn’t answer immediately. But when the other man glances at him, the shorter one clears his throat. “No, ma’am. Of course not.”

Lynell hums in thought and turns back to the fireplace. “I’ve wanted a family my entire life,” she says. “A good one. Filled with safety and love.” There’s no answer.

Lynell settles into the chair and continues to watch the fireplace, the book lying untouched in her lap.

Hours go by. She doesn’t move until the doors open again. Zach walks in, frowning.

“There you are.”

Lynell nods. “Here I am.”

“Want to join us for lunch?”

Lynell shrugs and stands. “Might as well.” She leaves the book in her chair and follows Zach back to the dining room, where Eric is already waiting.

“So glad you could join us,” Eric says, giving Lynell a wide smile. “I hear you’ve been doing some exploring?”

Lynell just stares at him.

“I hope you’ve liked what you’ve seen so far. If you’d like company, I’m sure Zach would love to join you.”

The conversation progresses and miraculously, nobody brings up the letter. Lynell barely speaks, and though Eric seems irritated, he doesn’t comment on her silence.

When they finish, Eric stands and gives Lynell a nod. “Thank you for having lunch with us, Lynell. Remember, you have the rest of today to consider my offer. I hope you choose us.” And with that, he leaves the dining room.

Lynell looks up at Zach. She feels detached from her situation. “Choose you?” she asks.