The Walls Have Eyes

Mr. Owen (Derek Kage) greets Hailey (Beca Barbie) at the door and lays out the deal: he’s flying out tomorrow and needs someone to keep the place looking lived-in. Hailey’s stoked; she got booted from her old apartment yesterday, so this gig lands right on time. He leaves her the keys and a grin that lasts a second too long. Night one, the house feels too quiet. Hailey strips down, flops on the couch, and fingers herself while flipping through her phone. Something shifts in the hallway. She pauses, tits out, listening. Nothing. Next afternoon she walks in on the shower running when she’s sure she’s alone. The curtain’s drawn, water on, then off the second she steps in. Still no sign of a body. By night three she catches a glimpse of dark hair disappearing around the corner, a tattooed arm vanishing into the master bedroom. She gives chase and finally corners him—Mr. Owen, still very much at home, dick half-hard in his sweats. He owns it: the business trip was bullshit, he’s done this before, and she’s the first housesitter to catch him. Hailey’s pissed, calling him every name she can think of while her nipples tighten in the cool air. He shrugs, says he noticed how quick she got comfortable in the house and how thin her wallet looked. Simple offer—she stays as a permanent roommate, rent-free, but every part of her is on the table. No lease, no questions. Benefits whenever he wants. Her stomach drops, but she pictures another eviction notice and another shitty couch to sleep on. Pride and fear do quick math. She swallows, nods once, and the deal is sealed.