Lock Every Door: A Novel

In a nightmare, Jules watches from the roof of the Bartholomew as her family walks through Central Park. Jane yells up at Jules that she doesn’t belong there. Suddenly, George the gargoyle comes to life and tries to push Jules off the roof. Jules wakes up screaming. She lies in bed trying to recover from the dream, but hears what sounds like someone moving around in the apartment and becomes more scared. She tells herself it’s probably just Leslie checking up on the space.

Jules spends the next day trying to kill time. She continues her job search, but her nightmare continues to haunt her. She’s had bad dreams since her parents died and often woke up screaming when she was staying with Chloe, too. Andrew calls and texts Jules repeatedly, interrupting her thoughts. She ignores his messages but thinks about their relationship. She remembers how they got together and realizes that they never should’ve dated.

At noon, Jules returns to the park to meet Ingrid for their lunch date. Ingrid doesn’t show up or respond to Jules’s texts or calls. She is worried but tells herself she’s overreacting. She returns to the Bartholomew and knocks on 11A to make sure Ingrid is okay.