Sally's POV
Standing outside my rental house, I hold my breath while Karl turns the key and steps inside, Ajax close behind him. My eyes immediately scan the entryway floor, searching for any threatening messages. Nothing. The tension in my shoulders eases slightly.
After they give the all-clear, we enter. The air inside feels trapped and stagnant, like a space that's been abandoned too long. I move through the rooms, opening every window I can reach, desperate to let fresh air circulate.
Warren has already claimed the living room couch, remote in hand as he flips through channels. Meanwhile, my four companions crowd into the kitchen, making the small space feel impossibly cramped.
The realization hits me like a cold wave: this place has never truly been home. I've spent so little time here that it lacks any real emotional connection. Unlike the cabin, this rental holds no warmth, no sense of belonging.
