*Aryanna*

The door clicked shut, and I slid the lock into place. I leaned closer until I had my ear pressed against the wood, barely breathing. Outside, the muffled rhythm of heavy footsteps approached, each beat reverberating like a low drum. I half-expected a fist to strike the doo, the intrusion breaking what little calm remained. Instead, the sounds slowed and then gradually receded. The silence that followed was thick and cautious. I lingered for a moment longer, letting the ...