y in my hand. It wasn't heavy, but it felt like it carried t

alm before walking out last

s safe, A

Nothing more. No exp

th questions. Why did he give me a key? What was it

n control. He never did anything without a reason. If he gave me

ock came a

key under my pillow j

n wal

like he belonged to the darkness. His face, as always

the key," he sai

id,avoiding

Go

. "What i

ou to figure

heet. "And what if

Because curios

careful, Annabelle. Some d

ing me with nothing but the key an

**

the day pass

ound the house, trying to ignore the way the guards watched me. Ev

settle, and no matter how much I tried to distract myself, my thoughts kept going back to

on the edge of the bed, staring at the ke

are better l

fingers. What was behind that door? Wha

To act like it didn't matter. But another part-the part of me that s

part wa

*****

h, with the key still in my hand

othing serious. Maybe it was just a stor

ing, why was he so

I also knew I couldn't just go and open the door. What if Ca

ock came a

ood at the doorway, her hands neatly folded in front of he

dy, ma'am," sh

move. My mind was sp

out before she co

ooking at me

? Should I even mention i

answers was stro

ted from the house?" I asked ,trying

she said, he

breath. "Wha

. She looked down, her hands gr

ce to say," she

beating faster.

ther. "Please, ma'am... d

ade me want

shed. "What

back. "I shouldn't be talking about

e a small bow and rushed off, her footste

re, my hear

definitely k

was something she was

of my pocket, stari

to fin

d to do

came q

was quiet.

the cold floor. My heart raced fast, as I

the guards were, but I couldn't risk getting caught. If Carson f

I s

way, half-hidden in th

this house-tall, dark, polished. Bu

is the

andle. It was freezing, like it

in remembrance

are better l

to my bed, pretend I never saw this, an

I knew that w

oor is found, it

ised the key

tuck in my throa

ic

ock t

r creak

ide made my blood

gh