It curves upward through woods until it stops just below a hill of grass and an unremarkable, faded yellow onestory house. It looks like an orphan left in the woods, its three windows gazing dully at me. A set of stairs juts out beneath the front door."Here's the castle," Ray says in a way that I can't tell is mocking or simply honest.I climb out. "Thanks, man.""She know you're coming?"I shake my head and shut the car door.Ray is still talking through the open window. "You met her step-uncle?""Yeah.""Just-be careful with that. He's a bit-well, you saw him.""Okay. Thanks."Before I have time to reconsider, he pulls away.I feel like I'm being watched. Either from the windows or from the woods.I feel a chill. My thin denim jacket isn't a lot of warmth. I rub my arms as I walk toward the house.It doesn't look old and abandoned-it simply looks empty. There are no signs of life. I don't see the jeep or any other vehicle. No garden tools or grill or garbage can. There's not even a welcome mat by the front door.And no doorbell to ring.I stand there for a moment, then knock.I wait.
