Jason had just finished mowing the lawn behind his grandmother’s house in rural Texas. It was one of those hot, silent afternoons where even the birds seemed too tired to make noise. His running shoes were outside near the back steps, covered in dust from the previous day’s jog.
Without thinking, he slipped his left foot into one shoe.
The second his toes touched the inside, he felt something cold move.
He instantly pulled his foot back and threw the shoe across the porch. His heart slammed against his chest as the sneaker landed on its side.
