Page 167 of Less

Unforgiving.

And my head still hurts.

Because when the masked figure surprised me inside my dressing room, I fought.

Of course, I fought.

I tried to scream.

I kicked.

And the next thing I knew, something hard slammed into the side of my head.

The blow had sent me crashing into the vanity.

Now warm blood trickles slowly from above my temple, sticky against my skin.

Every step I take makes me dizzy.

Makes the world tilt slightly.

But I keep moving.

Because I refuse to give up.

Chapter 29

Less

The second the secret door swings open, I don't think.

I move.

Pure instinct.

Pure terror.

Pure fucking desperation.

I vault through the opening and hit the narrow staircase at a dead run.

The air smells stale.

Dust.

Rot.

Old stone.

Cobwebs cling to my face and shoulders as I charge upward.

Broken steps groan beneath my boots.

Somewhere behind me, I hear shouting.

“Less!”

Noel.