Cupter 193
Bebevca suddenly went still. The moment her spiraling thoughts snapped back into focus, she spunaround and grabbed Vespera in a tight hug.
“Who is it?” she asked.
Viper’s bead started racing
They locked eyes, and at the same time, the same thought strickthem–the gas explosion.
They glanced at the clock. It was midnight on the dot.
The doorbell rang again. The effect was as terrifying as a sore straight out of a horror movie.
Instinctively, ther both stepped back, putting more distance between themselves and the door.
jest moments ago, Rebecca had been the one yelling, “What’s there to be afraid of? Now, her face was covered in fear.
Tell me the truth. Did you not eat enough earlier and secretly order delivery again?” she asked, trying to sound calm though her voice trembled
Vespera knew she was just saying something–anything–to keep from panicking. She tugged Rebecca back toward the couch. “Let’s just pretend we didn’t hear it. Don’t answer lenoce It.”
Rebecca nodded. “Ok”
But right after she agreed, her head turned, and she noticed the glass balcony door. The midnight breeze blew the white curtains inward, making them flutter. The balcom door was open
i forgot to close it! You always rush out at the last minute and leave
Vesper followed her gaze and sucked in a sharp breath. “That has to be from this moming. You forgot
“I dosed in knowIclosed
Calm down. You live on the just floor! There’s no way anyone could climb up here! Come on, it’s not like Bugman exists”
Rebeca paused for two seconds. “But I know I closed in. You can question my looks, but don’t you dare question my memory!” Vespera fell silent. So wait, was she saying the one knocking was a ghost, and there was another one already inside? Were they surrounded? “Call the police!”
*mood” Rebecca immediately grabbed her phone.
At this point, only the cops could save them and bring any sense of safety
Just as she dialed, the lights in the apartment went out with a sharp snap, and the doorbell rang again–twice, rapidly.
Vesper uffed her and used its light to scan the room, her heart pounding in her throat.
The doorbell kept ringing nonstop, now accompanied by knocking
As soon as the ou call connected, Rebecca told the dispatcher everything–what was happening in the apartment and how someone might be outside trying to breaktan..
The officer the other end gave a clear instruction, “Stay put Don’t open the door. Whatever you do, don’t open it. We’re on our
After hanging up, the glow from their phones lit up their pale, terited faces–It looked like a scene straight out of a horror movie,
They slid down onto the carpet, sitting back to back, phones raised to light the room around them just in case someone tried to sawakup. About five or six minutes later, a voice came from outside, mixed in with the knocking. “Is anyone there?”
line! Already!
Vespera and Rebecca didn’t dare respond
Then, they heard it, the sound of someone trying to pick the lock.
door swung open smoothly.
Friam in shock, the neopped out of just in time to bolt for the nearest bathroom, scrambling to their feet in panic.
