just a sliver.
My heart was pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
The door opened without being pushed. Daniel had left it slightly ajar earlier and now slipped inside.
He wasn’t carrying the cup.
He was carrying a key.
An old, long black key with strange teeth—the kind meant for very old houses… or for doors that were never meant to open.
He walked to the bedside table, opened the bottom drawer, and pulled out something wrapped in cloth. Slowly he unwrapped it.
A small glass bottle.
Inside were white tablets.
My throat went dry.
“Just valerian.”
I watched him place the bottle back, as if hiding a secret in his pocket. Then he walked over to the bed and leaned down, studying my face.
I held my breath.
Daniel reached for my wrist, searching for a pulse.One.
Two.
Three seconds.
He smiled, satisfied, and stood up.
