The Borrowed Key
When Sam got home just after 8:00 p.m., the apartment felt quieter than usual. He lives alone, and he is very aware of small changes in the space. As he set his bag down, he noticed the air felt cooler, even though the thermostat was set to its usual temperature.
The first thing Sam saw was his spare key on the kitchen counter.
This immediately bothered him. The spare key is normally kept in a small drawer near the door, and Sam rarely takes it out. He clearly remembered putting it back there the night before. The drawer was now slightly open.
Nothing else looked wrong. The furniture was in place, the windows were closed, and no items appeared to be missing. Still, Sam felt uneasy because the light in the hallway bathroom was on. He never uses that light unless guests are over.
Sam’s neighbor, Rachel, lives downstairs. She has borrowed the spare key once before after locking herself out, and she returned it later that same day. She is friendly but tends to act quickly and explain later.
Earlier in the afternoon, Sam had texted Rachel to ask if she had seen a package that was supposed to arrive. She replied that she hadn’t, but she would “keep an eye out.”
Later that evening, Rachel casually mentioned that she had been home all day and was glad to have a quiet night.
Sam stood in the kitchen, looking at the key on the counter, trying to remember if there was any reason he might have taken it out himself—or if someone else had used it and forgotten to put it back.
DISCUSSION PROMPTS
What do you think happened?
Who do you think used the spare key, if anyone?
What are you basing that on?
Which detail feels most important?
Why does the open drawer matter?
Why might the bathroom light matter?
Why do you think Rachel could be involved?
Why do you think she might not be?
What assumption are you making about the spare key?
Which detail feels completely normal?
What information is missing?
What would you ask Sam?
What would you ask Rachel?
How could this situation have an innocent explanation?
What would change your conclusion?
