I'd always been shy. I couldn't stand horror movies and couldn't even watch a chicken get butchered.
Seeing the injured bird made my face pale and my body shiver violently.
It took me a long time to overcome it. I called Dillon with shaking hands.
"Hey, Dillon, there is... There's a dead bird.
My eyes began to well up with tears as soon as I finished speaking.
I could hear the wind at the other end; he was probably driving. I was crying, and he came running over to comfort me.
"Do not be scared, sweetie. Someone may have just killed a bird.
I held back tears. "No, it was in the package..."
His voice grew softer and more soothing. "That's okay. It's probably simply a kid's joke. Do not worry about it. When I get home, I will throw it away.
I hung up and dashed back into my bedroom, where I snuggled up behind the blanket and shivered.
I didn't come out until Dillon got home from work and brought the box containing the bloody bird to the dumpster.
He held me for a long time, trying to calm me down. He left to take a shower and eat once I stopped shaking.
I remembered the camera I had set up beside the entrance after that. I opened the app and viewed the videos from this morning.
There was nothing outside my door at 6 a.m.
I nervously stared at the screen as the minutes passed.
The door to the neighbor's house opened. When he stepped out, my heart raced.
So it really was him?
But he only looked at the camera for a second before heading downstairs.
I felt a stab of despair. So it was not him?
The video resumed its normal quietness.
I felt irritated and increased the speed to twice its typical setting.
Even after Dillon left at eight, the footage remained unpackaged.
I was squinting at the phone when I heard Dillon say, "Babe, come here."
I immediately shut down the app and went to bed. Dillon was resting on the bed wearing only his boxers.
My cheeks became heated. I said, "Dillon, it's still early..."
He grabbed me close and said, "You're so beautiful."
I couldn't help but lie back and let him kiss my lips as they went across my face and neck.
We kissed and hugged each other, but even with my eyes closed, I could see the video in my thoughts.
Who else could it have been save the creepy neighbor?
I felt a rush of pleasure, yet my thinking went slow and heavy.
Who was it, anyway?
Dillon lowered his mouth, and I gasped and arched my back.
But, in the midst of this dizzying surge, I had a stunning realization.
Nothing had been seen in the video.
But Dillon informed me that he saw the gift and brought it inside.
That was not correct.
If the parcel never appeared outside and ended up on the coffee table...
Then he must have placed it there.
Fear rushed up my spine like ice.
I shuddered without intending to. Dillon raised his head, puzzled. What's wrong, babe? Are you cold?
My throat clenched as I looked at his face. I made myself smile after a long time. "No... just ticklish."
He laughed and kissed me again, gently and sweetly.
However, all I felt was fear.