Whispers in the Stars

Sarah

Sydney pulls a large book from a shelf in the massive, stately library. I leap back, muffling a shocked yelp with my hands covering my mouth as a trap door swings open, revealing a spiral staircase.

“Come on,” he says jovially, excitement blooming behind his eyes.

“Where are you taking me?” I let him take my hand and tug me into the cramped secret stairwell. He pulls a lever on the wall, and the door swings shut again in near silence.

“My mom had this built for my dad when I was nine, for their wedding anniversary. It took nearly a decade to complete.”

I follow him up the stairs. Up so high, my thighs are burning and my breath comes in rapid puffs. “Is this one of the towers?”

“It is,” he says like this is nothing but a walk in the park. At the top of the stairs, he pushes open an old, wooden door, something I’m sure is original to the castle, and we’re met by total darkness.

I follow his echoing footsteps, but I can’t see a damn thing in here. “Sydney?”

A loud cranking soun