Loose Ends

Something didn’t stay where I left it.

I doubled back and felt the gap

A sound out of place, a step too fast

The street’s too quiet, a window lit

Someone stayed longer than they should’ve

I ran the pattern, same as before

But the air felt tight near the door

Like the room remembered me

Like it wasn’t done with what it’d seen

I don’t panic

I inventory

There are loose ends

I didn’t cut

Not mistakes

Just overlap

Someone looked

Someone heard

Nothing solid — nothing sure

I’m still clean

I still move

But something followed when I did

I missed a detail, not the kill

A shape in glass, a shadow still

Didn’t chase, didn’t speak

Just stood where I shouldn’t be

I washed my hands, checked my clothes

Told myself, this happens, go

But the silence wasn’t right

Too many echoes in the night

I don’t panic

I adapt

There are loose ends

I didn’t see

Not a trail

Just debris

Someone knows

Not my name

Just the shape of what I am

I’m still clean

I still move

But something stayed when I left the room

It’s fine

It’s fine

I’ve felt worse than this

I’ve been sharper than this

I just—

I don’t like the quiet anymore

There are loose ends

And they pull

Not enough

But not dull

I can fix this

I always do

Just have to move

Just have to move

Next time, I won’t leave room.