The sound of shattering glass woke the boy. Since the quarantine began, his habits had become erratic, staying up late to play games online with his half brother. He lifted his head from the keyboard but could only see as far as the monitor illuminated. He whispered into the headset, “Drew, I think the cats broke something. You still awake?”
“Hmm? Yeah, kinda.”
Surprised Mom didn’t hear that. She hasn’t slept since half the police force fell sick. Afraid of looters. Just the cats?
He peered over the banister at a dim light in the kitchen. A cat wove around his legs as he strained to hear any sounds. Holding his breath, he thought he heard a floorboard creak. His hands trembled as he stepped down. A cupboard banged shut. Just the cats. His feet froze in place.
“Justin? Help me pick up this glass,” his mother called from below.
