Page 126 of The Cannibal

Her eyes reflecting white in the darkness, not even a blink.

Could she see me?

I stayed as still as a mouse, as quiet as my lungs allowed.

A full minute felt like an hour.

She just stood there, staring. The longer she did so, the more my greater senses were reaching a threshold. If I was still any longer, I would break down altogether.

The chittering echoed. It wasn’t like I was used to. The clicking noise of the Vipera was lively, the excitement so animated that it was often associated with all types of arousal.

Hers was grating, scratching, starved.

It was a dry rattle you’d expect to lurk in the sands.

Her foot dropped to the next step down.

Just the movement gave me the bravery to bolt.

I tugged on the first door. Locked.

Footsteps thudded one by one. The rattling became louder, the steps creaking closer together before they became heavier.

I went to the next door, then the next.

My pulse was ready to stop. Then the rattling echoed through the hallway.

She was there, staring down the hallway. Her face pale, eyes blank and full of blood. Her jaw opened and clenched, shakily so, as the rattling continued.

One more door.

One more door was all I’d have time for if I moved and she lunged.

My palm was already wet as my fingers loosened on the doorknob. But just that movement was enough for her eyes to snap to me.

With one last stumble I reached for the final door.

My heart nearly fell right through my chest as I tumbled into the room.

As my knees hit the floor, I shoved the door closed, my fingers fidgeting with the lock as I reached up for it.

A loud thud on the wood made me tumble backward.

“Phoebe?” Mary’s frightened voice cut through the air.

I snapped my finger to my lips when I looked to her from the floor. Just my movement made her flinch.

Rebecca sat up, the two of them putting some distance between themselves in the bed when I turned. But both stopped moving when the rattle began again.

The shadow from under the door paced. Back and forth. The knob turned right, then left, then repeating faster, harder.

My lip trembled against my finger; I couldn’t move from my place. If I just stayed here in silence, she would leave. God help whoever may cross her path.

35

THE POISONER

Grass as soft as rabbit hair tickles my feet. Everything was bathed in a rosy light. The trees brushed against each other, whispering their secrets to me freely.