Layla
: THE INTERVIEW 5

I’m leaning forward with my elbows resting on the table. The talking is becoming less of a nuisance. Maybe because we got past the hardest part.

“Why did you buy a security system?” the man asks. “Why didn’t you just leave?”

I pick at a chipped fingernail. “I have no idea. Maybe because it was the first thing to happen to me in a while that I actually felt.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I was numb inside. Had been for a while. But the things that were happening in the house were as fascinating as they were inexplicable. I didn’t leave, because in some twisted sense . . . I think I was enjoying it.”

“So you stayed out of boredom?”

I think about that for a moment. “Not boredom, really. I had Layla.

But I certainly wasn’t scared of whatever was happening. It’s hard to find something threatening that you don’t believe in. I thought the security system was going to explain away everything that had happened.” Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“How about now? Do you feel threatened now?”

I think back on all that’s happened since we’ve been here. There have been times I’ve wanted to leave . . . to run from it all. Things have happened that were downright terrifying. But even through it all, I’m resolute in my answer when I say, “No. I don’t feel threatened. I feel sympathetic.”

“That’s usually not the reaction people have in these situations.”

“I know. It’s why I reached out to you, though. It isn’t because I feel threatened. It’s because I want answers.”

“Did the security system help you find any?”

“Not at first. But . . . eventually. Yes.”

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