Page 92 of I'll Be Waiting

Everyone goes quiet again. I’m not even sure what Ihadheard—it really happened so fast that my body jumped before my brain could process. Then the sound comes again. Someone breathing.

I peek and look around the table. Everyone’s mouth is closed. Whatever I’m hearing, it isn’t from them.

I shut my eyes.

“Anton?” I whisper.

The breathing draws closer. I grip the edge of the table to keep from jumping. The sound is a rhythmic in and out, in and out, closer, closer, right at my ear, so close I expect to feel breath on my skin. Then it stops. I tense, every muscle held tight like I’m bracing for the jump scare.

“Janica…”

I stop breathing, and I hang there, tight enough that the slightest touch would send me flailing. But no touch comes.

“Anton?” I whisper.

A footfall answers. Then another. Footsteps walking away.

A board creaks.

“Did you hear that?” Shania says.

We all look, and she covers her mouth.

“Sorry,” she whispers. “Should I not say anything?”

“What did you hear?” Cirillo asks.

“A board creaked.” She points.

“I heard it,” I say. “I thought I heard footsteps, and then came the creak.”

“Let’s all listen,” Cirillo says.

We go quiet, and I still hear footsteps, slow and methodical. Another board creaks, and Shania lets out a yelp, along with Jin saying, “I heard that,” and Cirillo adding a murmur that he does as well.

“Anton Novak,” Cirillo says. “You seem to be with us. Can you confirm that? Nicola hears footsteps. If you can hear me, stop walking.”

The footsteps continue. Cirillo glances my way, but I shake my head.

“Anton?” Cirillo says. “Can you make yourself known by extinguishing a candle?”

The footsteps grow closer to me. Then they pass.

“Nicola?” Cirillo says. “Would you try, please?”

Here’s my chance. Ask about Roddy.

Only I can’t say it right away. I need to lead up to the question.

“Anton?” I say. “If you can hear me, will you stop walking, please?”

The footsteps continue, as if he’s slowly circling the table.

Circling. Considering. Stalking.

Stop that.

“Anton?” I say. “I think you were trying to speak to me. Please try again.”

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