~Doris~
I stood by the door for a long moment after Ryder left, listening until the sound of his boots faded completely. The room felt too big and too quiet without him. My chest ached a little like part of me had walked out with him.
I turned the lock slowly, then I stepped outside.
I didn’t want to sit alone in that room staring at the walls. So I decided to find Ms. D. She always made everything feel calmer, like a warm blanket on a cold night.
I walked down the quiet corridor, my bare feet soft against the wooden floor. When I reached her door, I knocked gently but there was no answer.
The door wasn’t fully closed. It stood open just a crack, like someone had left in a hurry. I pushed it wider and peeked inside.
I stepped in anyway. Maybe she had just gone to the kitchen or the g
