The story emphasizes how appearances can be deceiving. The protagonist, eager for a fresh start, is initially charmed by their new home and the seemingly idyllic community. However, beneath the surface of manicured lawns and friendly smiles lies a current of secrets, lies, and hidden darkness. The Lowells, with their perfect house and seemingly perfect lives, become a chilling example of how the facade of perfection can conceal something sinister.

As the protagonist settles into her new life, she becomes increasingly aware of unsettling occurrences and a growing sense of unease. She notices strange behaviors from the Lowells and their eerie maid, and a lingering feeling of being watched intensifies her anxieties. This theme explores the unsettling experience of feeling unsafe in your own home, where the familiar should be comforting but instead becomes a source of growing fear and suspicion.

The protagonist is desperate to leave her past behind, but something about her new life seems to be stirring up old ghosts. The story hints at a dark secret or a traumatic experience that continues to haunt her. This theme delves into the idea that we can never truly escape our past, and how it can resurface in unexpected and often unwelcome ways, impacting our present and shaping our future.