listened a bit more . A creaking sound from the neighbor ’ s swing set was the only sound on the air . The smell was of the cold , nothing more . After a minute or so , I released my grip on the silver crucifix from inside my pocket and rapped on the door loudly in succession .
A maid opened the door , bowed , and stepped back so I could enter . As I did , a man in black dress pants and a maroon velvet jacket was walking down an elegant winding staircase with wrought-iron details . He blended into the night sky that shone through the six thin arch windows behind him . His black hair turned brown as he descended the stairs , coming into the bright light of the chandelier overhead . He stopped near the bottom and stared at me . His eyes were cold , defeated , like the eyes of a man who just lost everything . He stood there , like a statue on display and did not move . I could feel the sad song that his heart sang as he observed me .
He finally turned and the maid gestured me to follow . I walked up the gleaming marble staircase and , step by step , left the light for darkness . The closer to the second floor I climbed , the darker the view became . Coldness overtook me , and a shiver ran down my spine as the light I loved so much bled into night .
The second floor was drenched in darkness , the hall devoid of lights . I wondered how anyone would navigate the hall without any illumination , but the man had no trouble walking forward with only himself as a guide . I eyed him deliberately , watching for signals and gestures that would indicate the way . We passed several rooms , but he did not pause ; rather , he continued until we arrived at the last room on the left .
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