That little building had once held a riding mower, two sacks of fertilizer, a box of Christmas lights, and a busted fishing pole.

I had never once thought about what it would be like to spend a night in there.

The deputy asked me about the lock.

I showed him how the latch worked from the outside.

My stomach knotted when he pulled the door shut.

Enough daylight crept in around the frame to show a faint outline, but there was no window.

No heat.