Maris looked at me for a long moment. “Then maybe you should decide if you want to stay scared, or start planning what happens next.”
Her words landed like a stone in my chest.
What happens next.
That was the question I’d been avoiding since the moment I stepped foot into this cursed house.
I gave her a faint smile, though it felt shaky. “You really shouldn’t be here. Someone might see.”
“Let them,” she said simply, rising to her feet. “You need someone on your side. Until you figure out where you stand, I’ll be that.”
Before I could thank her, she turned toward the door. “Eat something. Sleep. Tomorrow will be worse if you don’t.”
When she was gone, the room felt too quiet again. I looked at the basket; bread, cheese, fruit and warm milk.
Then I glanced back toward the window, wh
