Jeopardy

Hands trembling, I reached for the switch and turned off the lamp by my bedside. The sun had just begun to set, but wrapped in a thick layer of clouds, it didn't give off too much light. It worked to my advantage… or so I hoped. Certainly, the completely logical part of me told me to stay calm and consider all—more likable—possibilities.

The car might have had nothing to do with me. Maybe whoever drove that car lived nearby and only parked in front of my building. Maybe whoever drove that car was visiting someone who lived nearby. Maybe whoever drove that car lost their way and was now looking at the map, wondering how to get out of here.

I half-hid myself behind the curtain, then squinted my eyes, concentrating my stare on the van. I couldn't get a good sight of the windshield—possibly the only untinted window of the van—but my angle still allowed me to notice some movement inside. I froze. Someone must have been inside. I scratched out all the safe and logical arguments. Whoever was