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I stepped backwards.

“One.”

Silence.

My pulse hammered.

Nothing.

Then—

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

Slow.

Unhurried.

Like he knew exactly where I was.

Oh God.

I stepped backwards as the doorhandle squeaked.

My hand went over my mouth as he blocked out the faint light.

“You always hold your breath when you’re hiding,” he murmured.

Something burst inside me.

A laugh.

Bright.

Uncontrollable.

Lips stretched wide.

I couldn’t stop it.

“And now you’re laughing.” His voice dropped lower as he moved toward me.

I stepped back instinctively.

Once.

Twice.

Until my shoulders brushed something solid.

A bookshelf.

My fingers curled around the edge.

“What are you going to do now?”