Aurora James - POV
I looked down the hallway, half-expecting someone to come looking for me, but the silence was thick and oppressive. Steeling myself, I stepped closer to the door and twisted the handle. It creaked open, revealing a staircase that spiraled upward into darkness.
The air inside was pitch black, sending a shiver down my spine. I fumbled for my phone, turning on the flashlight as I stepped into the dimly lit space. Despite the biting cold outside, warmth enveloped me as I climbed the staircase, the wooden steps creaking softly beneath my weight.
As I ascended, closed doors lined the right side of the hallway, their surfaces worn and neglected. I hesitated, my curiosity clashing with an instinctive fear. I pressed on, feeling drawn to the unknown. Finally, I reached the top of the stairs, where a door stood wide open, inviting me in.
