Dan Seals

Not far from her was the stairwell, a hollow containing eight steep, narrow wooden stairs which led up to the attic. At the foot of the stairs was a solid panel door. This old door showed new markings, where Dan Waxer had drilled holes through it to install a lock and hasp. The door was locked from the outside – sealing Kelly in. Keeping her prisoner. For what? Kelly feared she knew the answer to that question all too well. The door was solid, as Kelly had discovered when she tested it. She was locked in. The attic was very dark and dim, even under the bare light bulb, whose wattage was weak, whose gloom was maddening to eyes that loved light. Kelly was in low spirits. Her lovely hair hung limply, lank, needing washing. Time, too, hung heavy on her hands. The only amusement – and it was a thin one – was provided by a box full of old magazines which she had discovered. They served as a scant consolation prize of sorts, since she had uncovered them while searching the attic for a way out. She had not found one. The attic was solid, windowless ...»