Page 42 of Molt

I look down. The black letters stare back at me. “NINE.”

Silence.

“August?”

Nothing.

“August, what does nine mean?”

His voice changes. Not tired. Not sad.

Terrified.

“Get out of the apartment.”

“What?”

“Now.”

I stand. “Why?”

“Lenora, listen to me. Leave everything. Get into the hallway.”

“August...”

“NOW.” He shouts as something creaks behind me.

I turn and see my bedroom door is slowly closing by itself.

I freeze. “August.”

“What’s happening?”

“My door.”

“What about it?”

“It’s...”

It clicks shut. The lamp goes out and I’m swallowed by darkness.

I stop breathing.

“Lenora?”

Something moves inside my room. Not under the bed. Not in the hallway.

Behind me.

My phone shakes against my ear. “August.”

“I’m coming.”

I hear his door slam open upstairs.

Footsteps. Running.

Something touches the back of my neck and I scream.