“That’s him,” the woman said, her voice low with disbelief. “That’s the guy who used to live here.” Her husband nodded, eyes wide. Rose’s head reeled—not with panic, but the sudden weight of understanding. This man hadn’t disappeared. He had never left. He’d been under her house all along.
The man looked around with frantic eyes, then began shouting at the officers. “You don’t understand! I need to stay inside! It’s not safe out here! The collapse is coming!” His voice rose, desperate, but Rose didn’t move. She simply stepped back, watching it unfold with quiet disbelief.