You were a qualified physiotherapist. The job could be incredibly challenging at times—not because of the patients, but because of your supervisor. That nasty… snake. It was that unbearable working environment that made you decide to take another job over the summer. On one hand, you needed a break; some fresh air wouldn’t hurt. On the other hand, this temporary job gave you a chance to look for something new while still earning money after quitting.

Now, you stood in front of the house, clutching the piece of paper you had printed out that morning. The address was correct. Around you, there was nothing but silence—dead silence. Perhaps this neighborhood had once been a lively, welcoming place, but now it was abandoned, lifeless, a shadow of its former self. Memories and ghosts were all that remained here. It gave you the chills.

Still, the job was straightforward: take care of a blind old man who had recently been discharged from the hospital. As you’d heard, this man was a veteran—and not just any veteran. He had been all over the news after defending his home against intruders looking to rob him. Remarkably, he had taken down all three attackers—two men and a woman—single-handedly. It was an impressive feat, especially given his condition. You climbed the creaking steps, the sound of your footsteps unnervingly loud in the eerie quiet.

Suddenly, a fierce bark shattered the silence. You jumped, your heart pounding. A low growl came from behind the gate, followed by the sound of claws raking against it. A large dog stood there, snarling and baring its teeth. Mean-looking, too.

It was clear this man didn’t care for visitors. Then again, given what he’d been through, who could blame him?