I said I wouldn’t run, but now…
With one final look, one last breath, heart thundering as their heated stares rake over me—
I run.
I bolt into the room, past the corner sofa and the floor-to-ceiling glass panels. The forest flashes beside me in blurs of green and black, but I don’t stop. I don’t slow. I don’t look back.
I just run, and run until—
Another staircase.
I lunge for the banister, leaning into it as my fingers fumble with the straps of my heels. Hooking them off mid-step, I’m sprinting again—barefoot now—up the stairs, around the landing, towards the far end of the floor.
Another corridor. Another set of stairs.
It’s wide, dark. Empty.
Panting, I stare down at the dim space, then up the next flight of stairs.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt like this before. The fear, the anticipation, the intensity… the thrill.
Heels dangling from my fingers, I take cautious steps down the corridor, keeping close to the middle, away from the edges cloaked with shadows I can’t trust.
I flinch.
A creak, somewhere in the distance.
Breath held, I freeze, waiting for it again.
It doesn’t come.
But something else does.
Goosebumps erupt over my skin, and my pounding pulse begins with new vigour, faster, louder and heavier because now…
I’m being watched.
I stare into the darkness ahead, I can just make out a bend, then another corridor. I remember this floor from Sai’s tour, I know what’s around that corner: his painting room.
That becomes my goal.
I inch forwards, careful, trying to pretend I can’t feel the torrid heat lapping at my back—
I take off.
But this time, it’s different. This time, IknowI’m being followed.
I’m sprinting, trying to out run his scorching presence chasing just behind. But he’s not running, he’s taking his time.
Stalking.
Purposely letting me tire, letting me become defenceless prey.
But I can’t stop. I won’t. That deeper instinct kicks in, urging me forwards, past the burning ache in my legs and fire in my lungs.
I turn a corner, a new corridor stretching ahead, and then a row of doors.
One of them is Sai’s. It’ll lead me to a room adorned in canvases and paint. Maybe they’ll be another door? Or somewhere I can hide…
