I ran.
I didn’t think.
I didn’t look back.
I just ran straight into my room and slammed the door shut.
Locked it.
Pushed my desk against it.
My hands were shaking so badly I could barely breathe.
Then—
Footsteps.
In the hallway.
Slow.
Heavy.
Dragging slightly.
Like something learning how to walk.
I backed away from the door.
Every step those footsteps took…
Got louder.
Closer.
Closer.
Until—
They stopped.
Right outside my door.
Silence.
And then…
A knock.
Three slow knoc