The door hidden behind the curtain creaked open. Ren could hear Benzo's heavy footsteps echoing in the room. His breath hitched, and he clamped a hand over his mouth, trying to keep his breathing as quiet as possible.
His eyes followed every step Benzo took. The shiny black shoe walked toward the bed, forcing Ren to tense up, every muscle in his body coiled like a spring. He tried to melt into the shadows beneath the bed, but the space felt too tight, too exposed.
The darkness he was once afraid of suddenly felt like an oasis. A blank void where he could hide himself from the monster lurking around him.
Benzo's footsteps slowed as he approached the bed, and Ren's heart pounded so loudly he was sure it would give him away. The man's presence loomed above him, and Ren could almost feel the weight of his gaze searching the room.