The Open Door
Lina arrived home around 9:30 p.m. after working late. It had been raining steadily for hours, and the hallway carpet outside her apartment was damp. She noticed several wet footprints leading down the hall, but only one clear set stopped near her door.
Her front door was slightly open.
Lina felt a jolt of panic because she clearly remembered locking it that morning. The lock sticks, so she always turns it twice and pulls the handle to be sure. She even remembered feeling annoyed by how long it took.
Inside, the apartment looked mostly normal. Nothing was missing, and nothing seemed disturbed. However, the kitchen light was on. Lina is careful about electricity and never leaves lights on when she goes out. The air inside felt warm, as if someone had been there recently.
Across the hall lives Mr. Harris, a retired man who is usually friendly and helpful. He has a spare key to Lina’s apartment. In the past, he has gone inside with her permission to water her plants when she was traveling. Tonight, he said he heard footsteps and voices in the hallway earlier but didn’t open his door because of the rain.
Earlier that evening, while Lina was walking home, she noticed a man behind her. He adjusted his pace when she slowed down and crossed the street when she did. She assumed it was a coincidence, but now she wasn’t so sure.
DISCUSSION PROMPTS
What do you think happened?
Who do you think opened the door?
What are you basing that on?
Which detail feels most important?
Why do you think Lina is certain the door was locked?
Why might the kitchen light matter?
Why do you think Mr. Harris could be involved?
Why do you think he might not be?
What role does the rain play in this situation?
What assumption are you making?
Which detail feels misleading?
What information is missing?
What would you ask Lina?
What would you ask Mr. Harris?
What would change your conclusion?
