Suddenly, the lights in the office building flickered and went out.

We were plunged into complete darkness.

Only the blue glow of Naomi’s laptop illuminated our faces.

Then, the floor shook slightly as the elevator down the hall began to hum.

Someone was coming up.

Naomi slammed her laptop shut.

The blue light died instantly, leaving us in pitch blackness.

The smell of old paper and dust in the office felt heavier in the dark.

“Sienna, get behind my desk,” Naomi whispered.

I reached out, my fingers brushing against Sienna’s cold, trembling arm.

I pulled her down with me into the narrow footwell of the heavy mahogany desk.

My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird.

Down the hall, the elevator bell chimed.

The sound was abnormally loud in the empty building.

Then came the heavy slide of the metal doors.

Footsteps echoed on the polished terrazzo floor of the lobby.

They were slow, deliberate, and clicking sharply.

“He shouldn’t be here,” Sienna whimpered, her breath hot against my neck.

“Shh,” I whispered, pressing my hand over her mouth.