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Finally, he landed on:

Things To Keep An Eye On

That felt sane. Measured. Like something a person with discernment would write.

He started the list.

1. notebook page

— fragments included: lean body / long hallway / too visible? / quiet floorboards

— could be poetry thing

— could also be murder draft ??

He reread the last line.

Deleted murder draft ??

Retyped:

— could also be deeply concerning

That was better.

2. white lighter / 27 club joke

— weird thing to say to someone you have known for about 12 hours

— especially after announcing my age like I’m a pig at the county fair

3. knows the house too well

— every weak point

— every noise

— every stuck door / lock / stair situation

— counterpoint: he literally lives here & works from home (?)

— counter-counterpoint: exactly

That one pleased him enough that he sat back.

He added:

4. suspicious calm

— speaks like he has already edited himself

— not jumpy, not chatty, not normal levels of awkward for a man living with a stranger

— very composed for someone who may or may not have body-disposal notes

Then:

5. moves quietly