Page 251 of Bound By Crimson
Then—
Nothing.
A pause.
Then slow, retreating footsteps down the stairs.
She held her breath.
Listening.
Then—
The lower attic door creaked shut with a soft click.
The lock.
Only then did her muscles begin to uncoil. Her breath came in ragged waves. She stayed seated, trembling, listening for anything else.
Nothing.
She finally crawled away from the dresser and curled on the floor beneath the attic window.
The granola bars and bottles lay beside her.
She sat up, crossed her legs, rested her back against the cold wall.
Reached for the granola bars. The wrappers crinkled in her shaking hands. She didn’t open them right away. Instead, she turned each one over, inspecting the seams, the glue, the edges. She squinted at the print. Sniffed for anything off.
Was that corner tampered with? Was that a puncture?
Her stomach growled, but she kept examining—once, twice, three times.
The last time she ate something from Editha, it nearly killed her. She knew better now. Only when she was satisfied did she peel one open.
She chewed slowly, methodically, eyes locked on the door.
She didn’t cry.
Tears wouldn’t help her now.
One more night.
That was all she needed.
Chapter Ninety-Four
Preparing for Freedom
She sat in the attic long after the last granola bar was gone.
The wrappers lay beside her, empty, crumpled like the tension in her chest.
The water bottles were half-drained. Her stomach no longer twisted, but her thoughts still did.
She leaned her head back against the beam, staring at the attic ceiling.
Is he at the wall tonight?
