That’s when I feel a tug at my hair, and I yelp, dropping the parchment back onto the desk.
My breaths echo as I search for the culprit, certain it’s one of his little friends…just like the ones that tricked me in the woods.
But when I reach behind my head, I discover my hair has been tied into a long braid.
Before I can question the strangeness further, my eyes fall on the golden spine of a book tucked into one of the stacks.
I don’t believe it. I had the exact same book.
If I could just pull it out… but I don’t want to be crushed to death by a stack of books. Still, that fear doesn’t stop me from gripping the spine between my thumb and index finger, trying to slip it free.
If I could just…
“What are you doing?”
With a sharp squeal, I knock my shoulder into the stack of books, and the whole tower topples down.
Covering my head, I brace for the inevitable blow, but he clicks his fingers, and the books fly neatly back into place.
I stare in utter disbelief. It’s not something you see every day, and it must be nice to just click your fingers and make everything right as rain again.
Now all is silent. Save for his angry breathing.
Finally, I summon the courage to look his way, flinching when I meet those glowing eyes in the shadows.
He looks like a thing of nightmares, especially as he summons tendrils of inky darkness like some deep-sea squid.
My heart thumps, and I swallow hard, feeling the sweat dripping down my temple.
When he steps into a shaft of light, the shadows dissipate, and I meet the glossy black eye of a dead stag. He balances its weight on his shoulders, and his sheer strength astounds me.
“I… I was just looking for a way outside,” I mutter.
He speaks through clenched teeth. “Well, you’re not going to find it here.”
I’m not sure how to respond. A clock ticks somewhere in the cave, and I’m already starting to regret my choice.
I really had no business being in here, nosing at his personal effects.
But I was curious.
“Get out.”
I snatch up the lamp where I left it on his desk, scurrying out of the cave like a frightened mouse. Blood drips down his long, faded leather coat, and I quicken my pace before I end up like that poor deer.
He follows me down the tunnel, and I move faster, trying to put some distance between us. But he soon catches up.
I must be slowing him down. These tunnels are awfully narrow.
“Would you hurry along? This beast’s blood is dripping into places it shouldn’t.”
I pause, momentarily distracted by his choice of words. “Wh-what…?”
“Out of the way!”
At his flippant bark, I press my back to the wall, letting him pass. The deer’s head bobs on his shoulder when he walks by, and it looks like it’s noddingyes.
I keep my distance, having the idea to go back to my room where I can avoid him. Because I plan to avoid him a lot.
