Clockwork
an excerpt

In the darkness and silence of the house, the floorboards echoed. Cringing with every step she took, Aria made a futile effort to walk as gently as possible.

Thoughts chased each other, one after another through her mind, playing a wicked game amongst themselves, and teasing her sense of worry into heated panic. Paranoia encroached upon her. It made her think that Mister August was stalking her, following close behind, enveloping himself in shadow. She looked over her shoulder and gazed at the door. It was still partly open. She hadn’t bothered to close it in case she needed a quick escape.

A pool of moonlight highlighted some of the cobblestones outside, and all too suddenly the night appeared to be more inviting than the stifling darkness of this building. There were still options, she reminded herself, two at least. She could stay, or she could leave. Nothing was forcing her to continue her pathway into the maw of endless shadow that dominated this house. She could return to Magpie and explain that Mister August had not been in his house. Maybe then Magpie would offer to return with her, although she doubted it. Magpie, she sensed, was just as fearful as Mister August than she was. Perhaps even more so.