A hastily scribbled message on a delivery bag sent me rushing to my backyard, my heart pounding with unease. The cryptic warning from Ravi, our regular delivery driver, may have just spared my family from something terrifying, yet it was clear the danger hadn’t passed.
As a single mom, I often relied on food delivery on nights when exhaustion got the best of me. Over time, Ravi became more than just a delivery guy—he was a friendly presence, always greeting my children, Kai and Isla, with high-fives before heading off. But last Tuesday, something felt… off.
Ravi arrived looking unusually tense. He handed me our order without a word, barely meeting my eyes before hurrying back to his car.
“What’s up with Ravi?” Kai asked, peeking out the window as Ravi sped away.
“I’m not sure, buddy. Maybe he’s just in a rush,” I replied, but the unease in my stomach lingered.
As I placed the food on the counter, my gaze caught something scrawled on the back of the bag. The shaky handwriting immediately sent a chill through me. I read the message once, then again, my appetite vanishing.
“CHECK YOUR TRASH CAN.”
I forced myself to stay calm for the kids. “Why don’t you two go wash up while I get dinner ready?” I said, trying to sound casual.
The moment they were out of sight, I rushed to the backyard, Ravi’s warning echoing in my head. My hands trembled as I lifted the lid of the first trash can—just our usual garbage. But when I opened the second one, a wave of fear crashed over me.
Wrapped in an old blanket were gloves, small tools, and an unmarked bottle filled with a mysterious liquid. My stomach twisted.
“Mom? Are you okay?” Isla’s voice startled me.
I snapped the lid shut and turned to her with a forced smile. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Just checking something. Go back inside, okay?”
The second she disappeared, I grabbed my phone and called the sheriff’s office.
“Sheriff’s Department, this is Leona.”
“Leona, it’s Nora. You need to come over. Now.” My voice shook as I described what I found.
Her tone turned sharp. “Don’t touch anything. Stay inside with the kids. I’m on my way.”
I hung up, dread settling in my chest. Our neighborhood had been plagued by recent break-ins—ones that involved chemicals to weaken locks and meticulous crime scene clean-ups. A horrifying thought struck me: my house was next.
“Mom, what’s wrong?” Kai asked, sensing my tension.
“Nothing, sweetheart,” I said, forcing a smile. “Let’s eat.”
Just as we sat down, a knock at the door made me tense. Peeking through the peephole, relief flooded me—Leona.
“Kids, stay here and finish dinner,” I said before stepping outside.
I explained everything—Ravi’s note, the odd items in the trash, his uneasy demeanor. Leona’s expression darkened.
“You did the right thing calling me,” she said. “I’ll have the evidence analyzed. But in the meantime, I highly recommend upgrading your security. We’ll increase patrols tonight.”
That night, I barely slept. Every creak in the house, every shadow outside sent my nerves into overdrive. By morning, I was running on anxiety and too much caffeine.
At exactly 8 a.m., I called a security company. “I need cameras installed. Today.”
“Ma’am, our earliest appointment is next week—”
“No,” I interrupted, my voice breaking. “Someone’s planning to break into my home. I need them now.”
The urgency must have struck a nerve because the receptionist hesitated, then said, “Hold on. Let me check.”
Minutes later, she returned. “We had a cancellation. A team can be there in two hours.”
The installation crew arrived, and as they worked, I kept an eye on every passing car, every unfamiliar face. Just as they were finishing up, Leona pulled into my driveway, her face grim.
“Nora, we need to talk inside.”
I sent the kids to their rooms and sat with her at the kitchen table.
“The lab results are in,” she said. “That liquid? A powerful corrosive. It’s commonly used to weaken locks.”
My stomach clenched. “So, they were planning a break-in.”
She nodded. “It looks that way. But you’ve taken the right precautions. We’ll keep an eye on your house.”
Just then, through the window, I spotted Ravi dropping off an order next door.
“He’s here,” I said, standing abruptly.
Leona’s gaze followed mine. “Talk to him, but be cautious. We don’t know if he’s involved or just a good Samaritan.”
I stepped outside as Ravi turned toward his car. He looked up, tension in his face.
“I’m sorry about yesterday,” he said before I could speak. “I saw two guys messing with your trash. They didn’t look like your neighbors. I wanted to warn you, but I wasn’t sure if they were still around.”
Relief and gratitude washed over me. “So, that’s why you left the note?”
He nodded. “I didn’t want to scare you.”
“Ravi, you might have saved my family. Thank you.” My voice wavered with emotion.
That night, after tucking my kids into bed, I sat in front of the new security monitors, watching the quiet street outside. Nothing looked unusual, but a deep instinct told me the threat wasn’t entirely gone.
I wasn’t alone in this fight—Ravi’s warning, Leona’s vigilance, and my own determination had prevented what could have been a disaster. Now, all I could do was stay ready.