The walls of her home, once a sanctuary, now felt like a fragile box that could fall apart at any moment. The police were useless, and she couldn’t just wait for the next voicemail to come in, for the next threat. She had to do something. Anything to help ease this constant hum of fear pulsating under her skin.

 

Leaving was out of the question. Whoever this person was knew her routines. The thought of stepping outside and being exposed to anyone who could be lying in wait made her heart hammer against her ribs. Sarah decided she needed to be proactive. She rushed to the windows and began drawing all the curtains closed. When that was done, she checked and rechecked all the locks on the doors and windows. With the outside world closed off around her, she sat on the couch and pulled up a shopping app on her phone. She searched for an indoor camera, small and discreet, with motion detection and night vision. She added two into her cart. An error message popped up “Only 1 left in stock for Same-Day Delivery.” A wave of disappointment tightened in her stomach. One camera would only cover downstairs, not her bedroom as well. But one was better than none. Sarah placed the order and confirmed payment.

 

The wait was agony. Sarah spent the next few hours methodically checking the locks again, waiting for any sign of the caller to suddenly make an appearance. She checked her phone constantly, but no new voicemails came through. When the camera finally arrived, Sarah quickly opened and closed the door, grabbing the package without looking outside. She tore the box open with a frantic energy. The living room would be the best place for it. It was a central hub and could cover the kitchen and dining area, as well as the front door and hallway leading to her bedroom. She connected it to her phone and mounted it high on a bookshelf. It was a pathetic defence, but it was something at least.

 

Sleep was impossible that night. Every creak of the building could be a footstep. Every gust of wind could be an intruder’s breath. Sarah dragged her dresser in front of the bedroom door, creating a barricade and preventing it from opening. Under her pillow, her hand rested on the smooth handle of a sharp knife from the kitchen.

 

Sarah fought to stay awake, her eyes straining against the darkness, ears searching for the slightest unfamiliar sound. Her eyelids grew heavy, the exhaustion setting in from a day filled with fear. Despite her terror, she eventually fell into a fitful and shallow sleep.