Excerpt: (Still Negotiating)

Twenty-seven steps across the top floor to the decrepit elevator.
A dirty sneaker dragged across gritty pavement with a low hiss. Eyelids flickered against depthless black while pupils focused on what couldn’t possibly be seen. A tongue ran over dry, cracked lips. The chest rattled into movement, pulling air through empty lungs.
The elevator creaked and moaned past the second floor.
Bony, spider-like fingers twitched with reflexive movement. Somewhere water dripped with what might have been maddening consistency if he hadn’t learned to tune it out hours ago. Maybe days. Maybe weeks. He had stopped trying to keep track of how long he’d been down there; he knew he would never get out.
Metal clanked as the elevator settled against the basement floor.
Caleb’s head lolled on his neck as his body struggled with itself. He pulled his mind back, coaxing it to return to his body. Something was out there, drawing closer and closer to the city despite his attempts to coerce it away. He wouldn’t let anyone else come here, but for now, he had more immediate concerns.
Nine steps from the elevator to the first hallway. Twenty-seven steps to the door.
Get up. Even if it took the last remnants of him, he would face his keeper standing. His shoulders swung forward, jerking him upright like a broken puppet. In the darkness, his eyes glowed the deep red of smoldering embers laced in black coal. For a moment, he simply breathed and reacquainted himself with his body.
Cold shot through the gaps around the door. Three bolts clicked back
Caleb closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
one
His palms pressed against the damp floor, muscles grumbling as they fell into place.
two
With all his focus, Caleb pushed himself to his feet. Shaky, but standing.
three.
The door swung open, allowing the cold full access to twist and swirl around Caleb’s brittle frame. He felt his mind tugging for escape again, desperate to flee into the ether where it possessed ultimate power but he forced it down. He just had to ride it out. His keeper couldn’t be allowed to break him, if only to keep that smug, self-satisfied look from his keeper’s face.