The Bolt's In But

Maintenance has been out twice.

They caulked something, left a work order

on the door handle, checked a box.

The gap is still there.

You can feel it in cold weather—

a thin line running from the front door

along the baseboard to the bathroom.

Steady. Specific.

It was after midnight.

Almost asleep when I heard it—

not a knock, not a creak,

something more like breath,

the wind finding the gap

the way water finds a low point.

I know the bolt is in.

I've checked enough times

to not need to check again.

I got up and checked.

Extended all the way.

Door locked.

Gap still there.

Cold air moving against my ankle.

Thin line of hallway light

at the bottom.

I stood there a moment.

Bolt in, door locked, gap open,

cold coming through regardless.

Went back to bed.

Lay there listening to it

until I stopped.