Chapter 58

• Before taking my first tentative step over the room's threshold, I peered into it. It was icy cold and dead silent. I shivered as I watched the air in my lungs transform into fluffy white wisps that floated briefly in front of my nose before dissolving completely. I stood near the secret entrance, hesitant to go any further. It was pitch black inside, and I knew I wouldn't be able to see anything without a torch.
• I stepped back out of the room and into the warm amber glow of the reception room, away from the darkness. I looked around for something I could use to illuminate the secret room. At first glance, there didn't appear to be anything useful. I'd hoped for a battery-powered flash light tucked away somewhere in case of emergency, but despite scouring the sideboards, all I found were girly magazines and extra throws.
• "OK, I guess I'll have to improvise," I muttered to myself.