Spin off of 1 Night, 9 Months …
Kyra’s fingers tightened around her phone.
“They were in the house when I got back from my jogging,” she repeated, her voice quieter now—uneasy.
There was a pause on the other end. Not the normal kind. The kind that stretches… heavy.
“Kyra,” Tahje said slowly, “did you lock the door when you left?”
Her mind scrambled. She always locked the door. Always.
“I… I think so,” she answered, but even to her own ears, it didn’t sound convincing.
“Go check. Right now.”
Her heartbeat picked up, thudding in her chest as she glanced around the living room. Everything looked normal. Too normal. The bouquet sat perfectly arranged on the table—roses, lilies… expensive. Intentional.
Carefully, Kyra walked toward the front door. Each step felt louder than the last.
She reached for the handle.
Unlocked.
Her breath caught.
“Tahje…” she whispered, backing away slightly. “It’s unlocked.”
“Don’t touch anything else,” he said quickly, his tone sharpening. “I’m on my way. Stay on the phone with me.”
Kyra nodded even though he couldn’t see her. Her eyes darted around the room again—but this time, it felt different. Like the walls were closing in.
Like she wasn’t alone.
“…Kyra,” Tahje said, voice low now, cautious. “Did you leave the hallway light on before you went jogging?”
She slowly turned her head toward the hallway.
The light flickered once.
Then went completely still.
“No…” she breathed.
And that’s when she heard it—
A soft creak.
Coming from inside the house.
#followerslemon8 #followformorecontent #goodreads #apowellbooks #roadto20k
Having read many suspense thrillers, I find stories like Kyra's deeply engaging because they capture the essence of everyday vulnerability. The ordinary act of jogging turning into a moment of terror resonates with me, as it challenges how safe we feel in familiar surroundings. What adds to the tension here is the detail about the bouquet of roses and lilies being perfectly arranged—these intentional touches highlight a strange mixture of danger and calculation from whoever is inside. In real life, situations involving uncertain safety at home can be paralyzing. When Kyra realizes the door is unlocked despite her belief she had locked it, it creates a powerful image of disbelief and rising panic. This reminds me of times when I have double-checked my doors multiple times, just to reassure myself. The mention of the hallway light flickering and going out intensifies the fear, showing how small details can dramatically shift our sense of security. From a storytelling perspective, this narrative builds suspense very effectively by focusing on sensory details—the heartbeat thudding, the creak in the house—which immerse the reader in Kyra’s experience. It's also interesting to see how communication plays a role, as Tahje's cautious voice on the phone offers a lifeline and a sense of urgency. If you enjoy stories that explore suspense through personal, relatable moments, this spin-off is compelling. It also reminds us to be vigilant about home safety measures, such as locking doors and lights, which are often overlooked but vital. Overall, the excerpt leaves me eager to know what happens next, a hallmark of great suspense fiction.
