Chapter 44

• Belle***
• The window's glass felt like ice beneath my fingertips, its chill biting through my skin as if the fear itself had solidified into frost. As I pressed my palm against it, I tried to steady my racing heart, thoughts spiraling with confusion. Was the danger outside or already inside with me? its chill biting through my skin as if the fear itself had solidified into frost. as I pressed my palm against it, trying to steady my racing heart. The voice outside had been barely a whisper, but its impact was a sharp, cold knife of dread.
• "You're running out of time, Belle."