I laugh a little. It sounds deranged. “No.” I don’t wait for his permission after that.
I flip the lock on the knob, then grab the latter.
Cosmo doesn’t let go of me.
I don’t care.
I open the door.
Cold greets me.
Complete darkness.
The scent of urine is sharp and I hate Cosmo a little more, even though I’m not sure it’s his fault. I don’t know if the smell is from days past, or tonight.
I don’t know where Sullen is in the gloom.
The space feels vast.
“Sullen?”
Cosmo’s fingers curl tighter around the back of my arm.
He will have to physically restrain me if he wants to try and stop me, or I will drive the blade into his flesh.
I am not letting anyone jerk me around again. Not anymore.
I take a step forward.
Cosmo moves with me.
“Sullen?” I say again, louder, my voice cracking.
Silence.
It is like the air is dead here, but it’s so cold. I know there must be vents or even a window or something besides this vastemptinessit feels like I am staring down.
“Karia,” Cosmo whispers, and I hear the uneasiness in his words. He is afraid of the monster he is taunting. He’s probably wishing he had taken the knife instead of me. “Let’s go back downstairs and?—”
There is a suddenthump.
Like a dresser hitting a wall or a fist against one.
I step further into the room.
The floor creaks beneath my bare feet.
It feels like hardwoods.
Another step.
Cosmo doesn’t let me go.
Then there is a gleam of white.
Eyes in the night.
Right in front of me.
