Texts From My Own Number

I started getting texts from my own number at 2:17 a.m. At first, I thought it was

a glitch. Me: who is this Me: stop The typing bubble appeared immediately.

Me: you forgot to lock the door I sat up in bed. My phone felt heavier than it should’ve.

I checked the front door anyway. Locked. Deadbolt on. I laughed—too loudly—and

went back to bed. At 2:19 a.m., my phone buzzed again. Me: check again

That’s when I heard it. The soft click of metal. Not the front door.

The hallway closet. I didn’t move. My heart was loud enough to feel like noise.

Another text came through. Me: you always forget the second lock I stared at the