Stumbling towards the staircase, I suddenly froze—not because of Frank's question, but because a flicker of firelight emerged in the darkness of the stairwell.

　　Even in my drunken state, my intuition remained sharp.

　　I knew—it was Lucas.

　　A few seconds later, the firelight hit the floor, extinguished under the pressure of a polished shoe.

　　Lucas stood up and walked towards us.

　　My instinct was to retreat, and in my unsteady ...