Part 1: The Night I Opened the Door

instinct told me to step back. To close the door. To protect myself.

Then he looked up at me.

His eyes were sunken, hollowed out by something deeper than hunger. When he spoke, his voice barely rose above the sound of the storm.

“Please,” he whispered. “I just need help.”

That was it. The hesitation vanished.

I pulled him inside and shut the door behind continue reading …