The floorboards in the hallway didn't creak. I knew exactly where to step—a habit honed from years of coming home late—but today, the silence wasn't mine. It was broken by a wet, visceral schlick-thwack sound coming from the master bedroom. It sounded like a heavy boot being pulled out of deep, thick mud. I stopped at the door, partially hidden by the frame. My heart wasn't beating; it was thudding against my ribs, heavy...