I will cook rice and beans

Noah remained frozen beneath the blankets.

For several long seconds, he simply stared.

The second envelope looked identical to the first. The same crisp white paper. The same careful handwriting. The same impossible placement on the narrow wooden windowsill.

His name stretched across the front in neat black ink.

Noah Carter.

"No..."

The word escaped his lips before he realized he had spoken.

He climbed out of bed cautiously, as though the envelope might disappear if he moved too quickly.

His bedroom door was still shut.

The window was locked.

He distinctly remembered checking it three times before going to bed.

His pulse pounded in his ears.

"How?"

He reached for the envelope with unsteady fingers.

It was cold from the morning air.

Fresh.

Whoever had left it couldn't have done so very long ago.

He turned it over.

Nothing.

No markings.

No fingerprints.

No clue.

Taking a slow breath, Noah broke the seal.

Inside rested another folded sheet.

His heart sank before he even began reading.