Chapter 86

After a while, I detected a subtle sound coming from downstairs. I pressed my lips together to quiet my breaths. Steel scraping against steel. That could be the man's personal joke of a playlist, or it was him sharpening the knife he was boasting about. Good for him, then. At least one of us was happy.

The cellphone in my pocket vibrated, tickling my leg. It didn't stop after one round. The phone continued vibrating until I was forced to wiggle and get it. It was easy enough to...