flashlight, he caught a slight glow from the arched entry ahead. His heart beat faster as he saw a small circle of light slowly meander back and forth, like it was looking for something. It turned toward the long hall. Heading straight for him, it began to grow.
James braced himself and when the light fell on his face, blinding him, he heard a scream and then a thud.
“Wait!” His eyes refocused in the darkness and saw a human shape next to a flashlight rolling on the ground. “It’s just…I’m not here to hurt anybody.” He fumbled for his own flashlight, and it illuminated thick shafts of dust motes dancing in the beam as the circle of light trailed up ancient burgundy carpet to a pair of sneakers, jeans, and…breasts. In a turtleneck. His eyes opened wide as the light reached an angry female face with caramel skin, surrounded by waves of thick dark hair.
“Oh my GOD, what is wrong with you?” she yelled, squinting in the light. “Did you follow me here? Are you stalking me?”
She picked up her flashlight and pointed it at his face, blinding him again.
“Hey!” He held up a hand against the light, “No! I didn’t know you were here. I swear.” He pointed the flashlight at her face in retaliation.
“You’re not moving until you tell me what you’re doing here!”
“Why don’t you tell me what you’re doing here?” Their shadows quivered on the walls.
“I’m doing the tour.” Her voice was flat, but she took a deep breath.
“So am I,” he said.
“I just got here.” She ran the light along the stairs.
“Me too.” He watched her light trail to the top of the stairs