Just as she moved to the next row of books—

She heard the unmistakable sound of keys clanking.

Someone was unlocking the door.

Meret panicked, her mind freezing as she stood there, her hand still on the spike of a book.

‘Should I hide? Grab something? Fight? Pretend I was asleep? What should I do? What should I do?’

Her thoughts spiraled as she heard the lock clank.

Before she could force herself to move—before her legs could obey—the door opened. Her heart slammed against her ...