Wife Sets Up Trap After Seeing Woman Enter Her Garage

Approaching Home

Her eyebrows were tucked firmly together as she approached her driveway. Something was off. The garage door was slightly open, and she could see the shine of her husband’s truck in the darkness.

She quickly decided to pull over as she kept an eye on their home. Her husband never parked his vehicle in the garage, she wondered why he had decided to. Something about the situation made her stomach twist into a tight knot. But just as she was about to keep driving, she watched as a woman dressed in black snuck past her husband’s truck.

A Family Neighborhood

Lind and Cliff had jobs that left them moving around a lot, and they decided to search for a family neighborhood in a small town in Iowa in which to start their own.

Linda wanted to find a safe town, seeing as they were nearly in their mid-thirties, but she had no clue what she involved herself in.

They Met While Young

Linda was in her early twenties, working towards her master’s in law, when she met Cliff, who was of similar age and had passed the bar to join navy SEAL training.

The couple had a romantic relationship filled with ups and downs that threatened to tear them apart, but it wasn’t long before they did what they never thought they’d do.

Synchronized

Cliff had proposed to Linda after being with her for seven years. They had both progressed in their careers – him, a full-fledged SEAL, having done multiple tours, and her, pursuing a Ph.D. in civil law.

They had spent most of their twenties and early thirties traveling for their jobs that were somewhat in sync. However, this synchronicity in their lives would dwindle.

The Perfect Home

Everything changed when they moved into their two-story house, situated in the Iowa town, with two garages and a driveway. Linda had been thrilled about the yard.

She saw the house and the neighborhood as the perfect place to start her family, but she soon began to doubt herself.

Arguments

Linda and Cliff had often fought, sometimes splitting up before they were married but often mended the situation. But many of their arguments were small, merely resulting in an apology. However, there was one incident that stood out. There was the time that Cliff didn’t treat her right.

She had caught him with one of his friends, leading to an argument that nearly ended their relationship. It had been a long time since then, but Linda feared it would happen again.

Settling In

Everything had gone smoothly when they moved. Linda had found a job as a lecturer at the local university, and Cliff enjoyed staying home for a few months before he returned to base.

Linda had long hours and spent much of her time away from home. She never knew what her husband was doing while she was away.

Left Work Early

One day was different for Linda when she caught a horrible cough.

She decided to leave work early and went to the clinic to get herself prescribed medicine before she headed home. What she would face would only make her fight back.

A Sneaking Woman

She noticed that the garage door was slightly open, but she could see the shine of her husband’s truck in the darkness. Something about this felt odd to her.

She pulled over and wondered why her husband had decided to park inside the garage when he hadn’t done that before. That was when she saw a woman in black sneaking by the truck.

She Was Furious

Linda was shocked and then grew furious when she recalled what Clifford had done years ago.

It hadn’t been easy for her to move on from it, but she had never forgotten. She steadied herself before making her way into the garage. She was going to do something about this.

A Forgiving Person

Linda had always been a forgiving person. As much as she tried not to think the worst in this situation, her mind conjured her biggest nightmares to torment her.

But as she sneaked into the house, getting a better look at the woman, it quickly became apparent that she had misinterpreted everything. As she peered from a corner, one thought razed her mind: I’m in danger.

The Reality Of Things

Linda slowly backed away from the corridor, leaving the house the way she came in. She’d thought the woman was looking for her husband when she realized she was terribly wrong.

The woman was a burglar armed to the teeth. Linda locked every external door, including the garage, through the house’s automated system and called Cliff.

Rushing Home

Cliff had been away at a Navy friend’s house when Linda called. Unknown to her, he’d been spending most of his days there to avoid the boredom of being home alone.

He didn’t hesitate, jumping on the first cab home. Whoever chose to steal from his family had made a terrible mistake.

Cliff found Linda standing away from their house. He hugged her tightly, glad she was safe, before marching toward the towering house before them. But Linda did something that made him stop in his tracks.

Please Stay

Linda’s wrapped her fingers around her husband’s wrist tightly. She didn’t speak, but her gleaming eyes told him everything he needed to know: Please don’t go.

Cliff had been with Linda for over a decade, and he’d always seen that look whenever his platoon would get deployed. This time he would stay by her side.

The Right Way

Cliff remained back, calling the police instead of handling the situation independently. He was more than capable of dispatching whatever danger was lurking within his house, but the look in Linda’s eyes kept him rooted.

The police flooded the house in less than an hour, catching the thief, who found herself locked in a place with nowhere to leave. They thanked Cliff and Linda for choosing the correct way to deal with the situation.

Feeling Relieved

Linda now felt relief wash over her. She was in her husband’s arms, and she felt safe. She had just had a very stressful day, but at least it was over now. The burglar was now gone, and the police took a statement.

They ran her down the usual questions like possible motives. But she had no idea that this was far from over.

The Next Day

The next day rolled around, and Linda felt like she could leave all the nastiness behind her and continue her life as normal. She started her regular routine, which included tidying up the house while Cliff was at work.

But as she started, she had no idea that she would find something that would bring all of her dread back. And it was inside her house.

Making Sure Nothing Was Taken

Linda had another reason for cleaning up a bit. She wanted to make sure nothing was somehow taken by the burglar. Her mind would be at ease once she was sure nothing was out of place. She cleaned thoroughly as she went.

She was happy to have taken the day off to do this. Her boss was sympathetic when he heard about the break-in. But she had no idea that things were going to change drastically in a few moments.

Nothing Missing

After working through most of the house, Linda couldn’t see anything missing. It was as if the woman knew it was over and decided not to take anything. She only had one last room to check.

Linda just had to clean their bedroom, and then she could relax. But she was unaware that the woman had left something behind rather than taking anything. And it would have her in a panic.

Under The Bed

While cleaning the bedroom, Linda changed the bed sheets and the pillowcases and swept the floor. Cleaning had always been therapeutic for her, but something would have her riled up really soon.

While sweeping under the bed, she felt the broom hit something solid. Cliff didn’t normally keep anything underneath the bed, but once she checked, her blood ran cold.

A Black Bag

Linda couldn’t believe what she had found underneath the bed. There was a black canvas bag wedged between the bed and the wall. She had never seen it before, and questions started racing through her mind.

She tried to rationalize the situation. Perhaps it was Cliff’s? As a Navy man, she was sure he had a bug-out bag in case things went sideways. But she had no idea how wrong she was and that her life was in danger.

Calling Cliff

Linda wasn’t sure what to do. She decided to call Cliff about the matter.  If this was, in fact, his bag, then she could just put it back and forget about it. She dialed his phone and waited for him to pick up.

But another call cut in – a private number. She froze in place, wondering who this mysterious person was. If she knew better, she should have run out of the room while she still had time.

Don’t Cancel

Linda knew something was off the moment her phone’s caller ID failed to recognize the number. Her heart started pounding, and the hairs on her nape stood erect.

She wondered what would be the best course of action. She could cancel the call and contact her husband. She could also sprint outside. But she’d soon learn that canceling the call would be the biggest mistake of her life.

Frozen In Fear

Linda just stood there, frozen in fear, as her phone continued to vibrate in her hand. Her mind was racing at a thousand miles per minute as she tried to figure out just what it was that was going on in her life.

Who was the person that was calling her, and what did they want? Did she really want the answers?

What Did He Tell Her?

Linda tried her best to think of all the things Cliff had taught her regarding situations such as this one. He had told her what to expect and how to react if she ever found herself in danger.

But at that moment in time, her mind simply refused to cooperate. All she could think of was whether she would make it out of this alive or not.

There Was So Much To Process

But Linda still tried to focus and remember what her husband had said. The problem was that there was simply too much to process in such a short amount of time.

They had countless discussions about a myriad of situations, and she couldn’t seem to focus on the one she was facing at the time. Her mind was all over the place, and she just couldn’t pull it together.

He Always Warned Her

Cliff had always warned Linda of the dangers of his work. He used to say that the danger he faced on a daily basis could wash over into his personal life.

She never really took it too seriously because she had never heard of such a thing happening before. But as she stood there, phone in hand, she realized that it was no joke.

What Should She Do?

Linda had no idea what she was going to do. After the break-in, she was convinced that things went this far because of Cliff’s job. And she had no idea how to deal with such a situation.

She had always been a tough and determined person. But she had never been this afraid in her life. Would she manage to get out of this unharmed?

Such Uncertainty

Fear had clouded her mind and had thus taken over her entire system. Linda had no idea what to do or think. She didn’t know if this was even real or not.

But there were two things she was sure of. She was deathly afraid. And she had no idea who caused it or why they did it.

What Was This About?

She looked down at her phone once more, wondering what this phone call was about. She knew that she would only get the answer once she picked up. But she also knew that only a fool would do such a thing.

Would her curiosity end up getting the better of her? Or would Linda stay strong and avoid all danger? Was such a thing even possible?

Was It Related?

Linda thought back to the intruder she had found in her house, and she couldn’t help but wonder if the incidents were related. Did this phone call have something to do with the woman that got arrested?

It was a possibility. But was it a fact? How could Linda find out without answering the phone?

So Many Thoughts

At that moment, there were so many thoughts passing through Linda’s mind. She was trying to fit all the pieces together while trying to think of the safest way out.

Her mind was shrouded. Fear and curiosity were clashing within her chest. And she didn’t know which road it was that she wanted to take. Little did she know that no road was safe.

Such Fear

The phone vibrated once more, and the iron grip of fear wrapped itself around Linda’s heart. She could feel the adrenaline being released into her system.

She could feel her mind sharpening as self-preservation became her top priority. Her heart was racing as fast as her thoughts. But what could she do at that point in time?

Was She Overreacting?

For a moment, everything around Linda came to a complete halt, and she couldn’t help but ask herself if she might’ve been overreacting.

Sure, she didn’t usually get calls from unidentified numbers, but that didn’t mean that the person on the other end of the line was trying to harm her. For all she knew, it could’ve been a sales agent. If only she knew how wrong that statement was.

Should She Answer?

Linda wondered if she should just answer the call and get it over with. What harm could a person on the other end of the line possibly do to her?

That was her line of thought. But she couldn’t deny that her body was sending off alarm bells like they were going out of fashion. It was clear that things weren’t as innocent as they seemed.

Instincts Kicked In

Linda’s instincts had kicked in the moment that the phone started ringing. And the more time passed, the more her body reacted. There was definitely something going on there, and her mind was fully aware of it.

Would she act on her instincts? Or would she throw all of her husband’s training out the window?

Dragging It Out

Linda knew she was dragging out this situation, but she really didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know if answering the call would be wise.

She was still afraid of what was happening, and she wasn’t willing to take a risk. But was that really the best way to go about things? Or was she just making things worse?

Now Or Never

The phone vibrated once more, and Linda knew that the time had come for her to make her decision. She could either answer the phone, or she could drop it and run.

What would she do? Would she trust her instincts? Or would she go against everything she knew? Her decision was about to be made for her. And she would be left with no way out.

A Text

Linda was about to cancel the call when a text from the same number pinged into her phone. The words were simple but chilling, turning her petrified body into a vat of bubbling terror. 

“Pick up, or your house goes boom,” the text read. Her finger couldn’t answer the call fast enough. She’d regret this action soon enough.

She Knows Her Name

“Linda,” a female voice whispered with a chuckle. “Good to know you can follow instructions, unlike most people.”

Linda couldn’t recognize the voice. She hated that the caller seemed to know about her when she didn’t even know who she was talking to. How did the caller know her name? Linda asked the only question she could at the moment.

Don’t Leave The Room

“Who is this?” Linda stammered. She’d left the black duffle bag where she’d found it and was slowly backstepping away from it.  

“Don’t leave the room,” the caller warned, and Linda stopped in her tracks. “Yes,” the caller said as if reading her thoughts. “I can see you. Now, do what I say if you want to live.”

Save Yourself

Linda had rarely been someone to fear for her life. Her husband was a Navy Seal, after all. She’d never once stopped to think that her life would be in danger with only her to save herself.

Her mind started working on ways to escape the house, her eyes bouncing all over the room, searching for ways to sneak out without the caller knowing she was gone. She should’ve known that this was far more serious than she thought.

Better Safe Than Sorry

Over the years that Linda had been with Cliff, she’d learned a few things from him that could help in such situations. For one, she knew Cliff always kept his arms hidden in different parts of the house. 

“Better safe than sorry,” he always said, and Linda usually joked about him being too uptight. But it seemed like today. His efforts would be her way out of this problem.

Arm Yourself

From memory, Linda knew her husband had strapped a firearm and combat blade under his side of the bed. He also kept some spicier pieces of equipment in the closet, something he usually joked could take down an entire army.

Linda usually disliked that her house was peppered with weapons. But as the spouse of a service person, she could understand why he felt it necessary to arm himself this way. So what was his reason?

His Home

After years in the service, Cliff believed it fell on him to protect his home. He always talked about how important what he and Linda had built was to him.

But he didn’t clarify one important thing. To him, ‘home’ wasn’t the house they lived in but rather Linda herself. She was his everything; he’d give anything to ensure she was safe. But why wasn’t he here today?

She’s Onto Her

Whoever decided to threaten his wife would rue the day they ever decided to lay their sights on her. But for now, Linda had to find a way to safety.

She reached under the bed, but the caller laughed. “Looking for something?” she asked. The weapons that were usually strapped to the bedframe were missing.

No Weapons

Linda took a deep breath, begging her heart to calm down. She realized the person she’d locked in the house earlier might not have been working alone. What if this was something more?

She hurried to the closet, hoping her husband’s spicier artillery was still there. But those, too, were gone. Trembling in place, she started backing away. There was no way she was surviving this.

Her Demands

“What do you want?” Linda stammered, and that’s when the whole truth came out. “My associate is behind bars because of you,” the woman said.

“You’re going to call the police and drop all the charges against her. You have five minutes after this call cuts. I don’t have to remind you what will happen if you don’t comply, do I?”

Fine, I’ll Do It

“Okay,” Linda said. The call cut, and she dialed 911 immediately, sharing her details and saying she was dropping all the charges against the burglar. The call didn’t even last ten seconds. Linda texted Cliff next via social media.

She was sure her normal texts were being monitored and didn’t want to risk anything. She knew using social media with end-to-end encryption could help mask her trail.

A Calculated Risk

‘Trouble at our house. Help.’ She pressed send and picked up the black bag. It wasn’t as heavy as she suspected it might have been.

Still, she carried it and headed out the door as fast as possible. Linda’s destination was one she should have ran to the moment she got the call.

Cliff had fashioned their basement into a bunker able to withstand considerable stress. She chucked the bag in and locked the heavy door, turning on her heels.

Not His

She called Cliff as she sprinted out of the house. He picked up the phone immediately, hearing a frantic voice on the other side. “Where are you!” Linda screamed.

“At work, why?” It was then that Linda realized he hadn’t seen the text she sent. She explained everything, from the bag to the call. “I need help,” she quivered. “Someone’s trying to hurt me.”

Panic

In a panicked voice, Cliff asked Linda where the bag was. It was now clear to the couple that the bag was left there by the burglar. But the thing was that Cliff wasn’t there to protect his wife from whatever danger the bag posed.

He told her to get to their neighbor’s house, where she’d find help. But his wife’s curiosity would get the better of her. Cliff called a cab just like the day before and told him to rush to his address. He knew that every second counted when it came to situations like this.

Linda’s Curiosity

He made a phone call to the local police again and said he’d meet them outside of his house. But none of them knew that Linda was already considering doing something foolish.

Linda had hurried back to the basement when the house didn’t go up in flames as she’d expected. She stared at the bag as she waited around for Cliff, but with each passing minute, she grew impatient.

She felt a burning curiosity in the back of her mind. She knew it could have been dangerous. But for some reason, she needed to know what the burglar had the audacity to leave in their home.

Justifications

Linda even started thinking of justifications for opening the bag. What if it was false evidence planted in the house to get Cliff in trouble? She didn’t want anything like that happening to her beloved husband.

She decided that was justification enough and bent down to open the black bag. But what she’d see inside would make her jump back and scream in horror.

Inside The Bag

Inside the bag were a lockpicking device, rope, a hammer, a notebook, and a pistol. Linda’s blood ran cold when she saw the firearm. What exactly did the woman plan on doing just a day earlier when she broke in?

But little did she know the notebook would be the most harrowing thing to be found inside the bag. It would change everything.

The notebook

Linda reached into the bag and took out the notebook. She started reading through it and felt a shiver down her spine. There were addresses written down in the book with details about the residents living there.

This included her address with her details, and it was circled. The burglar and her partner must have been watching the neighborhood, writing details about every house.

This made Linda feel more unsafe than she had ever felt before. But she also felt relieved as a cruiser arrived on the scene and her husband soon afterward.

The Police Arrive

The police took the bag and all of its contents as evidence. They expressed satisfaction that the notebook with sensitive information about her and her neighbors was now not in the wrong hands.

They explained that the evidence would help keep the woman behind bars for an even longer time while simultaneously helping to root out her partner. But even they couldn’t promise that they’d bring in the woman.

An Angry Husband

Linda and Cliff didn’t sleep in their home that night. A sweep of the house revealed that the burglar had stashed away Cliff’s firearms in the very basement where Linda had thrown the bag.

The authorities asked Cliff not to go after the woman, knowing well what he was capable of. But the man wouldn’t listen.

Going After Them

Cliff had taken the burglary and phone call as personal attacks on the dearest thing in his life. There was no way he was going to sit this one out.

He made a few calls at work, gathering a team of specialists who could have easily helped root out the woman’s whereabouts.

But Linda knew if she let him move forward with this mission, he and his team wouldn’t bring the woman back warm. She had to intervene.

Don’t Go

Linda pleaded with her husband to let the authorities handle the issue. “I am fine and unharmed,” she kept telling him, lying that the ordeal wasn’t as harrowing for her as he might have imagined.

Although she wanted the woman to be brought to justice alongside the burglar, she didn’t want anyone to lose their lives over this. All she wanted was to put the event behind her and focus on her life with her husband.

Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblances to actual events, places, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.