Taped & Taken Sofia’s

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the living room as Sophia settled onto the couch, her laptop balanced on her knees. She’d been working from home all day, and the silence of her apartment was a welcome respite after a hectic week. The soft hum of the air conditioner filled the air, the only sound breaking the quiet. She was just about to close her laptop when a sharp knock at the door startled her. Sophia glanced at the clock—547 PM. Who could it be at this hour? She set her laptop aside and rose, her bare feet padding softly against the hardwood floor. The knock came again, more insistent this time. Sophia approached the door, her brow furrowed in confusion. She peered through the peephole, but the dim light in the hallway made it difficult to see. “Delivery,” a deep voice replied. Sophia hesitated. She hadn’t ordered anything, but maybe it was a package for her neighbor. She unlocked the door and pulled it open, only to find a man standing there, his face obscured by