Chapter 10 : My Enemy, My Hero

Daphne

For a few, long moments, I couldn’t speak. My fear kept me silent. Their collective body odor and sleep breath permeated the small house. It felt like a choking grip in that small space, and I wanted to cough again as my roughened throat from earlier was getting agitated again from breathing in the awful stench.

“I thought this place was abandoned,” I admitted, though I probably just should have kept quiet to not antagonize them into hurting me.

“We like it that way,” said a voice that I couldn’t see.

I assumed it was one of those lying in bed since the voice seemed muffled by a pillow or blanket. There was a resounding, collective laugh after that. I wasn’t sure whether to join in or remain quiet, but my locked jaw made the decision for me to stay silent.

The tall one standing moved closer to me. His massive body forced the boards below him to creak and groan under his weight. My eyes darted to the floor the closer he got.