Allen

I woke up with a start.

Kyle wasn't able to come last night, and I dreamed about him dying, which made me shiver despite the heat. I threw the covers off of me and found the house eerily silent.

I raked the whole bed for my phone and found it lying under my pillow. The time read 9:02 am, and there was no single call or text.

I sighed and again shivered at the haunting silence.

Usually, by this time, Aunt Hilda would be singing downstairs, in the shower, or somewhere else.

The house wasn't soundproof, and my Aunt's singing voice was shrill and off-key. I'm afraid that even the mouse hiding in her ceiling could hear it.

So waking up in a silent house was saying something.

I knew for a fact that Allen would either be in bed or had not come home yet from last night's partying at the club.

He went out with his friends, and typically, he would be home late or crash at one of his friend's places.

But Aunt Hilda was here.

I got out of bed, finger-combing my hair. I padded towards