Just as she was about to retreat, thinking it had all been a trick of her imagination, the sound returned—louder and more urgent this time. A soft shuffling echoed from the far corner. Her breath caught in her throat, and a cold sweat broke out on her brow.
Emily’s heart raced, pounding loudly in her chest as he felt a sudden rush of panic. The instinct to flee surged through her, but she forced herself to stay rooted to the spot.In a moment of sheer fright, she nearly lost her balance on the stairs, teetering dangerously close to falling.