The Bastards Move In

As is your usual wake-up custom, you lie in the bed after your partner has left for the day, watching the "Today" show before arising to shower. The television is on low volume, but you occasionally seem to hear another sound: someone calling out your voice. It happens immediately after the heater kicks on, like clockwork.

After noticing this twice or three times, you head into the bathroom to shave and shower. Upon turning on the water in the sink, once again – you hear the distinct, but low, sound of someone calling out your name. It appears to be coming from behind you, around the kitchen window that is adjacent to the bathroom. The same low male voice you have heard before, outside.

You jump in the shower, and the single voice becomes a chorus. Occasionally, through the sound of the shower water, you hear different voices calling out your name. One sounds Hispanic, one is a woman, and one is the familiar low drone of a voice you are coming to know quite well. The constant calling out continues until you turn off the water, then all is silent again.

The lowlifes have taken up residence. They want to have a word with you, all the time.