CHAPTER 6:
Julie held her breath. She could see a man stop right in front of the fireplace and lean into it. She felt a shiver run down her spine as a strong disgusting smell of sweat came to her nose. She should not make any noise. She should not even try to breathe. If she did that, she was dead. The man sat with his head in the fireplace for what seemed like an eternity to Julia. She tried to hide as much as possible in the cavity, her back completely glued to it.
Then, finally, the man snorted in contempt and exited the fireplace. He straightened up and continued his walk to Julia's left. The young woman knew it, he was heading towards William. She felt her heart jump. Was he hiding? If so, was he hiding well? What would she do if he found him? She would jump on this man. Too bad for her own life. She would not let him fight alone.
Finally, she thought of something. William and she had left the baseball bat by the door. If the killer had found it, he knew there was at least one person in that room. She had to get out of that chimney. It would not take long to figure out she was hiding there. She did not want to be trapped like an animal. Then she remembered seeing two other doors in this large library. She did not know where they led, but if she could reach one, open it, and close it silently behind her—hoping the room was also dark—she might get away with it. It literally seemed impossible. But it was either that or death.
Still, she did not want to leave William. What if he had had the same idea as her but he did not dare move because he did not want to leave her? No, William was a smart man, and he knew she was too. They both had a door near them. They had to save their lives. And she knew deep down that William would have the same idea as her. She knew it.
Julia gently straightened her legs and prayed that her long dress would not get in the way of her next run to the door to her right. Listening attentively, she slowly climbed out of the fireplace and looked very slowly in the direction of the killer. He was with his back to her and seemed to be looking for something near a shelf full of books. She hoped with all her heart that William was not in that area.
It was now or never. She had to go through this door which was now only a few meters away from her. She must not miss her chance. She got down on all fours and walked slowly. When she finally reached the door, she stretched her arm to grab the handle. If the door creaked...
She pressed the latter, her face contorted with fear and concentration. She stood up a little and turned her head behind her again to see the man searching a closet, with his back to her. She pushed open the door gently and quickly rushed into the room.
She closed the door behind her and looked around, still on all fours. The room was silent and empty. She got up and walked quickly to the other end of what looked like an office and gently opened another door that led directly to what looked like a simple guest room. She finally released the breath she had been holding since leaving the fireplace. She sat up, her back resting against the double bed and tears rolled down her cheeks. She felt such anxiety that William might have waited for her or that the man had found him that she hesitated to go back. She had to convince herself that he had fled through the third gate too. She had to think of something else and remember what he had confessed to her. That he had fallen in love with her, the same way she had fallen in love with him.
But this was not enough. She started crying again. She had not only lost sight of William in this room, but she had also stepped over the body of Bertha, one of her friends with whom she had spent the most time during these receptions. When she opened the library door and walked into the office. She had not had time to think. She had to go to the other door. But walking towards the latter, she saw black hair and blood smeared on the floor near the desk chair. She gasped and rushed for the door, her head completely elsewhere. She had felt like she was dreaming. It could not be possible… How many of her friends had already been killed? And how many would emerge from this nightmare? Julia let the tears fall even more, folded her knees to her chest and rested her head in her arms.
If William was not safe, she would never forgive herself...
Note: I hope you like this story style. Anyway, I liked writing it.