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"I noticed."

I carry the lanterns into the living room.

"If the power goes out again, we don't waste time looking for light."

Sayer immediately stands.

"I'll help."

Together we place one lantern in the kitchen, one in the hallway, and another at the base of the stairs. Not because I expect another outage. Because I expect the unexpected. There's a difference.

Next, I check every window lock again. Not because they've changed. Because repetition catches mistakes. Carys follows me from room to room.

"You know whoever—or whatever—is doing this probably isn't going to be stopped by a deadbolt."

"Probably."

"So why bother?"

I tighten the lock over the kitchen sink.

"Because routines matter."

She tilts her head.

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

I turn to face her.

"When people are scared, they stop thinking clearly."

"I know."

"No."

"They stop doing ordinary things."

I gesture toward the lock.

"Locking doors."

"Checking exits."

"Keeping track of time."

"The ordinary keeps panic from taking over."

She studies me for a moment.

"I forgot you think like this."

"I never stopped."

"No."

Her voice softens.