VI. Alive.

The rain stopped.

Since all this happened, nothing is like before, Alwin does not speak, Petra spends all day in her room and Paulie does not make a single noise. I am in so much silence that it clings to my face, sliding all over my body, paralyzing and damaging everything in its path.

Today the paralysis does not reach the feet, they move awkwardly down the stairs, almost on their own, my head cannot fully understand it, but in a few minutes I am in front of the old man's door.

"You were late…" Werner's voice from the other end is raspy and weak.

I don't understand what I'm doing here, I'm about to turn around when the same voice calls me from the other side, now in a much lower tone and almost without force.

"You don't need to, just go inside."

The roar of the door as it slowly opens bristles my skin, a huge darkness welcomes me, I am puzzled and… terrified. The feet that I can no longer control of my own free will walk without hesitation into that darkness, the door slamming the door.

A candle in the back of the room is lit, the fire shows an empty table, this one has cut marks, it was a strange and perfect path, maybe some huge arms could have done something or maybe an animal.

"At last ... Haley, ah, dear ..."

A chill runs down my spine, the old man's voice crashes through the room until it reaches my ears again, a familiar sound, that of a heavy footfall paralyzes me.

"Werner, stop playing games." This is not fun.

His laughter came out like a roar, the laughter of a madman, no doubt.

"Death has never been pleasant, Haley dear, but I'm sure it will cause yours to be satisfying."

Also, the fire from the candle began to move, creating a great flare in my direction, a rapid stream of adrenaline awakened my body the instant the fire hit one of my eyes, I had never felt anything like this before.

I fell on my back, writhing in pain, I screamed drowning in despair, I could no longer see anything that surrounded me, however, I still heard the footsteps, getting closer and closer, I tried to get up, but the burning paralyzed me.

Do not move.

Whispered an unfamiliar voice.

I'll get you out of here.

I tried to stay as still as possible, but the trembling of my body was working against me. Suddenly, I felt two hands pulling me back, vertigo colliding with my pain.

Little by little Werner's footsteps faded into the distance.