Two figures walked with the entitled authority of youth while light from the street lamp blended their shadows. This was their street. Born and raised here, Jeff and Paul were best friends.

There were a couple of ways to case a place. One took time and planning, but they didn’t have the patience for that. The other used a sharp eye and waited for opportunities like an unlocked car or a house with accumulated mail.

“Hey we’in luck. Lookit that.” Jeff nodded at the house on the corner. The lights were off, but the front door was wide open. “Sum bum musta leffit open. Let’s ha’ a looksy.”

“Good night for a snatch and grab. It’d be a shame t’waste it.” Paul agreed.

Despite his eagerness, Jeff let Paul lead the way.

It was a nice place- upper middle class, and full of the byproducts of life. And for all that it felt empty. Something vital was missing.

At the end of the hall, a dark shape lounged in a tub.

When Jeff snapped his lighter open, they both gasped.

Sad, lifeless eyes stared back without blinking.