The Contract

XXII - Chavele

-

I couldn't sleep. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring ahead at the door before me. Absently, my fingers intertwined and writhed against each other. I was nervous, and I felt like a fool. Such a fool.

How could I have been so stupid?

I knew I had been way too hasty to make the last wish. I knew Lure would screw it up in some way. I had make it practically impossible for Lure not to screw up. I was so, so stupid.

I stood up and crossed the room, to the door. No, nothing had happened to my grandpa—yet. However, I knew what Lure was capable of and I knew what he would do. Why hadn't I thought over my wish before I had made it?

Because Lure had rushed me.

Still, that was no excuse.

I placed my hand on the doorknob. Was I just being silly? Perhaps Lure had learned; perhaps he hadn't done anything to my grandpa.

But then again, this was Lure I was talking about. I had basically given him permission to do anything he wanted to my grandpa.

Lure had seemed all too cheerful to carry out the wish before he had left.

I wanted to kick everything in sight. That stupid, sadistic, horrible demon.

I closed my eyes and tightened my hold on the doorknob. No, I was jumping to conclusions. Maybe Lure didn't do anything bad to my grandpa. Nonetheless, I had to check on him.

My hand twitched. I couldn't turn the knob. I was scared. What if. . . what if it didn't turn at all? What if Lure had locked me in my room? That would confirm my fear.

I sucked in a deep breath.

Just turn the damned knob, Katlyn.

I squeezed the knob. He wouldn't have locked me in my room. He wouldn't have—

Yes, he would have.

I scolded myself and forced myself to turn the knob. I grimaced; I had turned it so quickly that a sharp pain jerked within my wrist.

Click.

I stiffened. What had made that sound?

I stood in front of the opened door for a few seconds, puzzled, before I shrugged and slipped out, into the hall. It was cold out in the hall, I noted. Cold like. . .

Death?

I shut the door to my room, and heard another click. I frowned and realized that it must have been the door. I tried the knob. It didn't budge. I had locked myself out of my room.

I let out a soft, frustrated sound. So that was what the clicking sound had been. The lock engaging. I turned around, deciding to get the master key to unlock it after I made sure my grandpa was okay. I walked down the staircase and stopped at the base of the stairs. I glanced at the kitchen, preparing to hear the sound of silverware and utensils chiming together.

I didn't—this gave me hope.

I slipped past the kitchen and stopped in the hall where the guest room was located. Grandpa was sleeping in there. I stood outside the door and bit my lip, then gently placed my hand on the doorknob. He was okay, he was okay, he was okay.

I entered the room and flicked on the lights. There lay my grandpa, breathing as normal as ever. I smiled, relieved, and turned off the light as I backed out of the room and quietly closed the door. Maybe Lure had changed?