Page 99 of Endgame
Two new paperclips are in my possession.
Adrenaline floods my veins as I rush back to the locked door.
The forbidden one.
This lock isn’t as complicated as the one on the front door seems to be. A few maneuvers, and…
Click.
I’m inside.
In Everett’s secret room.
The blinds are sealed shut. I can’t see anything.
Searching the wall to my right, I find a light switch. As soon as my fingers flip it, a soft glow floods the room.
And my jaw drops to the floor.
Look at all these books. These bookshelves.
They line the walls, reaching as high as the ceiling. A wooden ladder leans against one of them.
“Holy…” I close the door behind me as gently as possible.
Before I saw what’s in here, I ached for Everett’s company. Either that, or learning about my captor and his many secrets.
Now that I’m in this room, my sad reality is pushed to the back of my mind.
This place, I need an hour, two, or a million in it.
I don’t want Everett to drag me out before I’ve had a chance to take in this mini-library.
In addition to books, two leather recliners are positioned in one corner. Another charcoal-gray loveseat is further inside the room by the fireplace.
My gaze bounces across the room. Over the numerous spines. Leather spines. Paperback spines.
I can hardly make out what each of them says; I’m so blown away.
Books weren’t allowed in our household. Probably because of my constant pleas to have them.
This must’ve been why this room was locked. Maybe this is how rich, sadistic assholes torture their victims, by withholding books, entertainment, everything that makes life bearable.
Resentment is an old, corrosive knife that’s been buried between my ribs for as long as I can remember.
Neither he nor my parents will ever stop me from reading ever again.
This house has books in it, and I will read them, goddammit.
With this new resolve, I take the first steps forward. After a closer look, I’m finally able to focus on the titles and subjects.
Everett has history books, law books, and biographies. There are more ahead of me.
More shelves. More books.
The further I go, I notice how sparkling everything is. Everything’s been kept in perfect condition.
Not for my benefit though. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have kept the room barricaded.
