Leonardo's POV
The sky had already darkened by the time I parked my car in front of the house.
The porch light glowed softly, just like always. The house looked quiet, too quiet, actually. There was no sound of the television, no music coming from the living room, not even the usual footsteps from inside.
I opened the front door.
Click.
"Hello?" I called softly.
No answer.
I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. I took off my shoes near the rack before walking into the living room. The lights were on, but the room was empty. The sofa where Valerie usually sat while reading looked neat. The small blanket she often used was folded carefully over the backrest.
"Strange," I murmured.
Usually Valerie was already home by this hour.
I walked to the kitchen.
Silent as well.
I opened the fridge briefly, just to see what was inside. Vegetables, eggs, a few cuts of meat, enough to make something simple.
I closed it again.
That was when I heard the back door open.
CREEEK.
