CHAPTER 18
We all looked at each other in silence, feeling uneasy. The fire in the hearth crackled loudly and sparked with big, restless flames. The wind behind us kept getting stronger. It pushed through the open glass door at the other end of the room, bringing in cold air and making the flames move in strange ways. The door stayed wide open, and something about it made me very uneasy.
It upset me more than I can say to see it left like that. It felt like it was on purpose. Kind of like making fun of. It was as if whoever set up this whole thing was making a silent statement by leaving the exit open, visible, and tempting. It was like they were saying, "You can go." But no one did anything. No one even made an effort.
We all stood still, and it felt strange to be so quiet. The quiet b
