The Tense Arrival
As we pulled into their driveway, the weight in the air was undeniable. “You ready for this?” Mark asked, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Stepping out of the car, the atmosphere pressed down, even the cool evening air feeling rigid and uneasy. The strange mix of comfort and distance unsettled me, like stepping into familiar territory that no longer felt entirely safe.
The Tense Arrival
An Uneasy Welcome
Elaine opened the door with a practiced smile, warm but edged with something uneasy. “Come in, please,” she said gently, her pleasant tone laced with quiet tension. We exchanged polite greetings as she led us toward the living room. Everything felt carefully arranged, as though the house itself was holding its breath, waiting for what might come next.
An Uneasy Welcome
