Chapter 2Half a Severed Finger

"Why aren't we going in, babe?" Grace asked softly beside me.

"Just looking for my keys in my bag," I replied smoothly.

Grace had no idea the peephole was missing. She couldn't see it. She was blind. I kept quiet about it because the last thing I wanted was to worry her.

While I pretended to fumble with my keys, I kept my eyes glued to the phone screen. The intruder was in a frenzy, scrambling into the kitchen and squeezing himself into the narrow cabinet beneath the stove.

I unlocked the door, guided Grace inside, and locked it behind us, making sure to turn the deadbolt twice.

After helping her to the sofa, she mentioned she was thirsty. I offered to get her a glass of water and walked into the kitchen.

My eyes immediately darted to the cabinet beneath the counter. The door was slightly ajar. A cold smile touched my mind. This made things much easier.

Without making a sound, I closed the kitchen window, shut the door to the hallway, and cut the electricity to the kitchen. Then, I quietly turned the valve on the gas stove.

It was a risky move, but it was the quietest way to put a rat to sleep.