Peter debated investigating but ultimately stayed in bed, convincing himself it was nothing. Still, sleep didn’t come easily. The noises lingered in his mind, growing louder in his imagination. By morning, his nerves were frayed, and he resolved to put the strange sounds out of his head.
As Peter stepped out to leave for work, his neighbor, Mrs. Henderson, called out from her garden. “Peter, can I have a word?” she asked, her voice laced with concern. He walked over, forcing a smile. “Good morning, Mrs. Henderson. What’s on your mind?”