Return Of The Lost Dragon

Claire’s Visit:

Agnes sat frozen in her vanity chair, the maid’s words echoing in her ears like an eerie refrain.

“I swear, Miss… I heard someone saying your name from the vents again last night.”

That wasn’t the first time the maid had reported strange sounds. Once could’ve been paranoia. Twice… unsettling. But a third time?

Her fingers trembled as she dismissed the girl with a nod and whispered, “Thank you. Don’t tell anyone.”

When the door closed behind her, Agnes locked it and twisted the latch. Her eyes scanned the room, all the way to the ceiling.

Whatever warmth the afternoon sun brought through her tall French windows, it quickly vanished under the weight of suspicion now crawling across her skin.

She moved quickly.

Pulling her bed away from the wall, she peered behind the headboard. Nothing. She moved to the drawers, emptying them onto the floor, one by one, fingers trailing the wood lining, tapping for hollows.

Her breath caught as she paused near the vent above her bed. It had always been