The footsteps came slowly up the stairs. Slow, heavy.
They were too heavy and too slow to belong to Victor. Victor walks fast.
I quickly slipped the silver key into my pocket, closed the small metal box, and moved toward the bedroom door. My heart was beating fast.
"Lara?"
The voice was soft and familiar, but it wasn't the person I'd expected. Not Victor.
I let out a sharp breath and pressed a hand against my chest. I was so scared.
"Xander! You scared me. I thought something terrible had happened. I thought it was Harrison."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you," he said.
He stood in the doorway, breathing heavily, like he had run all the way here. Rain covered his jacket, it was wet. His face looked pale, white, but his eyes were clear and awake.
"Victor texted me," he said
