Page 114 of When Darkness Calls

And I wait.

Sitting in a closet, silence the only thing keeping you from something terrible, is a seriously shitty way to spend an evening.

Combine that with the day already being complete ass, my head pounding, hips feeling like they’ve been cracked against the pavement, and my stomach cramping from not only the period but also the terror racing through my veins?

Negative one thousand out of ten. Do not recommend. Wouldn’t wish this on my mortal enemy.

Well…maybe the creepy ski mask guy, but that’s it.

I don’t know if I’ve sat here for five minutes, or five hours, but the darkness, and the silence around me ricocheting off the walls of the closet is excruciating.

And hearing footsteps in the hall again.

That is much worse.

I feel utterly hopeless.

The doorknob of Cay’s room rattles. I take a deep breath and wait.

The slow screech of the hinge is all I hear before the closet door is ripped wide open. A shriek tears its way out of my throat. I throw my arms over my head, blinded by the sudden light filtering inside.

“Dani,” he whispers, voice cracking in worry and relief. And a sob escapes me. His warm hand circles my wrist. I look up and stare right into the lightest eyes I have ever seen.

Another sob of relief floats in the space between us as I jump to my feet, grabbing onto Grayson like my life depends on it.

“I’m here, Dani. I’m here. I’ve got you. I’ve always got you.” His words are said into my hair, his arms wrapped tightly around my waist as if his life depended on it as well.

“Where is he?”

“Cade’s right—”

“NO! Where the fuck is that asshole in the goddamn mask?” I push him back rushing to the window, looking around the backyard.

He sighs. “I don’t know. He wasn’t in the yard or in the house when I got here.”

“Cade? How did you get here before Cade?” I ask him, anxiety shaking my words.

“I was home and he called me. I have my bike. I drove faster,” he mutters, coming close. Grayson’s hand comes up slowly, hesitantly, before pausing, and dropping back to his side. And I’m…almost disappointed. A little hopeful.

“Stay here. I’m going to go check everything again…” He mumbles, hurt lacing each word, before he stalks out of the room. His footsteps are barely perceptible through the house. I crumble onto Cade’s bed, staring off at the wall. Anger, fear, adrenaline coating my skin.

I made the right choice. I was brave. I’m okay.

The words tumble through my head like a broken record.

“Dee.” A voice breathes from the doorway. I run, instantly, into the arms of my brother standing there.

“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.” He murmurs over and over, rocking us gently.

“I’m okay. I hid.”

“I know. I’m so fucking proud of you.” He pulls back, pushing all my hair from my face and inspecting me.

“I’m okay. I swear. But next time, either I need to know where your knife is, or I gotta get my own.” I shake my head. “Seriously, dude, do you ever fucking clean?”

It’s now that I realize how wrecked his room is. I wouldn’t have been able to find shit if I wanted to.

He smirks down at me with a shrug. “I think we should get you your own. We’ll talk about it later. Grays,” he turns to Grayson who is peering through the door from the hall. I hadn’t even heard him come back. How long had he been standing there?