Vernon felt a surge of exhilaration as he breathed in the familiar air of his hometown, the cab weaving through streets that held so many memories. Each passing landmark amplified his giddiness, the joy of returning to his homeland almost overwhelming.
As the cab turned onto his street, Vernon’s heart fluttered with anticipation. The thought of seeing his neatly trimmed lawn and sinking into the comfort of his own bed filled him with an almost childlike excitement. Oh! How had he longed for it!
But Vernon had no inkling of the shock awaiting him. Instead of a warm cup of coffee and the embrace of a well-kept home, what greeted him as he stepped out of the cab made his blood run cold.