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Ten
Rosalie
The moment my hand pressed the stone statue, I knew I’d made a mistake. The secret passageway swung around, locking me in on the other side into a dimly lit corridor. Spiderwebs hung from the ceilings and around the lanterns sporadically placed in the narrow hall. Quickly, I searched the closed wall for a latch or anything that might get me out of this place and back into the library.
“Hello?” I banged on the wall, hoping someone would hear me. “Hello? Anyone? Hello!”
When no one came to my rescue, I decided the only thing to do was to move forward into the extremely creepy passageway and hope it led to an exit.
I sneezed and covered my mouth. Not only did this place have a century of dust but something must’ve died within the walls, leaving a horrid scent that made my throat burn. If I had a knife on me, I would’ve sliced my dress and made a face covering. Instead, I wore another ridiculous outfit that’s only function was to show off my breasts.
Covering my nose and mouth slightly, I walked, heading in the only direction available, searching the stone-lined walls for anything resembling an exit.
The passageway turned up, spiraling just like the stairs outside the library. Keeping one hand to the wall, I stepped slowly, keeping my gaze ahead.
Something scurried behind me, and I squeaked at the rat running up the stairs.
I bet he knows where to go.
Following the rodent, I chased the creature up the staircase until it ended at a black door. Light beamed from under the doorway and the rat slid between the space, leaving me alone. Before going in, I pressed my ear against the wood and listened, and when I heard nothing but my own heartbeat, I opened the door.
I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t an empty room, or at least empty of anything exciting. The door shut behind me and I jumped.
“I need to get out of this place.”
Half of the room hid in darkness, obscuring anything interesting. The side I entered was on the south of the room, and since the entire left portion of the room hid within a blanket of shadow, I moved toward the right near a swaying red curtain leading to a balcony.
Pieces of straw scattered across the stone floor. There were no paintings, no decorations, not even a chair for someone to sit, and why was there straw? An odd musty scent reminding me of moldy hay filled the room, making my eyes water.
Focusing on the sunlight creeping in from the swaying curtain, I stepped slowly, crunching straw as I walked. Coldness crept up my back, and I swung around, staring at the shadows. My heart raced.
“Hello?”
When no one responded, I turned and moved toward the balcony.
A strong breeze blew inside the room, kicking up the surrounding straw.
Growing up in the woods, I learned a lot about beasts and the fear that came when you knew the wildcat stalked you through the forest.
That horrid sense of dread filled me now, making my hands and arms shake. My flame flickered as if it knew I was in danger but was snuffed out by the magic wrapped around my throat.
I didn’t want to turn around.
Iknewsomething was there.
But if I had learned anything from my father, it was that we didn’t run from our fear, we embraced it, and met the danger head on with courage. With a steadying breath, fists raised, I slowly turned around.
Two glowing eyes watched me from the shadows. From this distance, I knew whatever lurked on the other side of the room was twice my size, at least.
“Whooo goess in my towerrrr?”
The deep, scratching voice made me step back. “No one. I’m lost.”
The creature stepped forward just enough to let the light shine on its massive form, hidden beneath tattered black robes. “Youuu tresspasss.”
“No, I meant no offense.” Holding my hands up in a silent plea, I searched for an escape. There had to be another exit out of this room.
The creature stalked forward, and quicker than I expected, snatched my arm, and lifted me off the ground. Clawed fingers dug into my skin as it dangled me in front of it. The hood fell away as the thing sniffed me and I screamed.
