The Intruder

Everyone’s brain works differently. Just because the teachers don’t explain stuff to you in a way you understand it, that doesn’t mean you’re not smart.

And as I close the door behind us, I can’t push away the feeling that I have made a grave mistake by inviting her in.

I’m Ella,” I finally manage. Then I think better of it and give my full name: “Elizabeth Casey.

My father might be gone, but I can still learn from his life lessons.

The only thing that seemed to make her feel better was going shopping.

This is New England—a rainstorm is barely a blip out here.

So why can’t I shake the feeling that something terrible is going to happen tonight?

I pile spaghetti and sauce onto a large plate for my guest,

We can play any game you would like,” I offer. “What games do you know?” “Roblox. Minecraft. Fortnite.

If the window is open

She is far smarter and crueler than she looks. I think of the cigarette burns on her skinny arms as well as the bruises. I took the girl for a victim when I first saw her. But now I’m starting to wonder. I’ve got to get out of here.

When I do bad things

Somebody is out there. There’s an intruder hiding in my toolshed

I don’t have as much experience with adult men being disappointed with me, because I don’t have a father. I mean, I have a father—obviously—but I’ve never met him, so he’s never had a chance to be disappointed in me.

I look up at the roof of my house. It will probably hold. And the tree probably won’t fall down. I probably won’t die tonight. And if I do, the good news is that nobody will miss me.

You need to learn to relax a little. That was my goal when I moved out to this cabin in The Middle of Nowhere

I miss my students. I would have done anything for those kids. Except that’s what got me into trouble.

I don’t know my father. He abandoned my mother before I was even born. He’s a terrible person. I believe that bad people always get what’s coming to them.

Yet why should I? This is my house. My property. Why should I be forced out because of somebody trespassing? That said

I came out here after I lost my teaching job. I had this idea about living off the grid for a little while

Because I’m not driving to the police station. I have very different plans to ensure that Nell doesn’t have to suffer one more day at the hands of that miserable woman. It’s time for the misery to end.