~Adeline~

I knock on the wooden door with the side of my fist.

"Open it," I say, firmer now, fighting to keep my fear from leaking into the cracks of my words. "I'm not playing. Open the door."

Still nothing.

It's too quiet. Too intentional.

And then—soft. Barely there. A shift of gravel right outside the shed again. A slow step. Another. Someone is standing there.

Someone other than Elara.

My breath shortens.

I push myself closer to the wall, trying to listen, trying to measure the ...