Part 1

Ethan locked his bedroom door, the click sharp in the quiet house, today, he was alone. The thought of being alone made him happy because he was free to indulge.

It was already late afternoon, his father—at work, while his stepmother was out for errands, leaving the house empty for some time.

At twenty two, Ethan carried the lean build of a soccer player, his shoulders stood broad and his stomach taut, his skin a—a faint tan lingering from summer.

His dark hair fell into his ...