Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
The interior is completely unexpected. Instead of the cluttered, dusty space that I have expected, it’s clean and well organized. Rows of video screens line the walls, each one showing a different view of the mansion. Someone is definitely using this space as a surveillance room.
As I a step closer, I notice the screens show security footage from every room in a massive office building, as well as Olympus Manor. Since these monitors are in the Godwin mansion, I can only assume what I see is Medusa Enterprises. It’s like the employees are being watched by someone, or something.
But that’s not the strangest thing. There’s a bed in the corner, neatly made with crisp white sheets. A leather chair sits in front of the screens, as if someone has been spending a lot of time up here and wants to be comfortable. Little touches make the space feel almost whimsical, like the twinkle lights strung up around the beams, or hanging plants in the furthest corners of the room by the window.
It appears as if someone is living in the attic and has done so for some time. I’m about to turn and leave when there’s a scrape behind me. I spin around to see a figure emerging from the shadows. It’s a man, tall and lean, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He’s dressed in all black, and although I can’t see all of him clearly, something about him feels dangerous.
“Who are you?” My voice shakes despite my best efforts to keep it steady.
The man steps forward into the light, a small scowl playing at his lips. “Hello, Ani.”
My heart stutters. I recognize him. He’s Phoenix Godwin. I only met him briefly at my sister’s wedding and couldn’t tell you a thing about him other than rumors I heard growing up on Heathens Hollow. Rumors that were far from good. Our meeting was so brief, I’m surprised he even knows my name.
But why is he here, living in the attic? I have a feeling that I don’t want to stick around to find out. I’ve invaded his space, and something tells me he’s a man who hands out consequences like Santa does gifts.
“I’m going to go now.” I try to keep my voice steady. “I’m sorry if I disturbed you, I heard noise and—”
The man’s scowl intensifies. “You shouldn’t be out of bed yet. You’re still recovering.”
I’m surprised he knows about my recovery, but then I glance at the monitors and see that one of them is of my guest room. Every inch of my room is visible on that screen.
He can see me sleeping.
He can see me dressing every day.
Oh, Jesus Christ— He can see me undressing.
“You’ve been watching me?” I can’t process the feelings swirling in my mind. Are they shock or… rage? My privacy has been— What the fuck?
Why would he watch me? And for how long?
What the hell is happening up here in this attic?
I turn and flee, my heart pounding. I don’t know what’s going on in this house, or why anyone would think it’s all right to watch me without my knowledge. I am a guest, but nothing about this is right.
I race downstairs and out of the attic, wishing I could make my feet move faster. I need to get out of here as fast as I can. My bare feet are pounding against the floor as I pelt down the hallway. Phoenix’s footsteps slap down behind me, getting closer and closer. I don’t know if he’s trying to catch me or just following me, but either way, I’m not looking over my shoulder or slowing down to find out.
Once I reach the bottom of the stairway, I burst through the front door, running out into the night. The cold air is a slap to the face, and the cold muscles in my legs threaten to seize as I run across the lawn. I don’t know where I’m going, but I don’t care. I just need to get as far away from that mansion as possible.
I run until my lungs are burning and my knees feel like they’re about to buckle. Finally, I collapse on the ground, panting and shaking. I’ve spent too much time in bed, and my body is reminding me of this. I’m also barefoot, and I’m grateful I’ve been running on grass, so I haven’t chewed up the bottoms of my feet with gravel.
I don’t know what’s happening, but I can’t just leave the property without shoes. The sane part of my brain is now kicking in, telling me that my phone, and what few belongings I do have, are in the house. I can’t even catch a ride back to the trailer, as I have zero money on me. Scared or not, I can’t be reckless and think a solution will be out here waiting for me.