The hopelessness of her situation descended like a thick, smothering blanket. She fought against the flood of tears that would, if unleashed, dissolve her into a useless, blubbing mess. Even if she were to die in this place, she would not die weeping.
A sudden breeze swirled through the barn, sending straw fluttering every which way. Victoria's head came up, and her breath caught in her throat.
The two creatures were gone.
Confused, Victoria waited, straining her eyes in the darkness. Seconds passed. The breeze faded away, leaving her in silence. Bracing herself against the wall, she rose on shaky legs. No lights glinted at her from the shadows, no hands reached out to strangle her. Taking a step forward, she paused, listening. Nothing.
Wetting her lips with her tongue, she marshaled her courage. "Hello?" she called, half-cringing. Her voice rang against the walls before fading into the shadows. There was no answer.
Somewhere inside her, a small hope blossomed. She took one step, then another. Her legs stopped shaking. Straw rustled beneath her feet as she began walking faster, her eyes sweeping the empty stalls for any movement. The barn door loomed ahead of her, the great white X painted on it promising an escape from this nightmare.
When Victoria reached the door, she stared up at it for a moment. How had the two creatures managed to leave the barn without opening it? Not that it mattered. Hooking her fingers around an exposed corner, she pulled. The door didn't budge. She pulled again. It swayed slightly in place as the sound of creaking wood drifted down from its runners.
With a grunt of frustration, Victoria shoved in the opposite direction. Metal squealed and groaned as the door shuddered, but it moved. She pushed harder, her toes digging into the rough wood beneath her. Inch by inch, the door slid aside. Fresh air tickled her ankles through the ever-widening gap. The scent of the night sent thrills through her body as the door's momentum started carrying her along. She let herself laugh then, and the stars seemed to share her mirth as they glittered down from their places in the endless sky.
The door reached the end of its rail and jerked to a halt, sending Victoria sprawling. Righting herself, she pulled her dressing gown back down to cover her legs. A patch of moonlight illuminated the straw covering the floor, making the barn's interior far less frightening. Where once had been an abyss of confusion and fear now stood just an old building. Giddy with her newfound freedom, Victoria gave it a quick curtsey before stepping out into the night.
Outside, a scene of quiet desolation awaited her. Wooden fences extended from the walls of the barn to frame a large yard. A wind pump stood at the far end of the enclosure, groaning at the occasional breath of wind. Some distance away, a large house sat on top of a small rise. Victoria's hopes rose when she saw it, and she began walking.
The ground was rough, covered with rocks and short, scrubby plants that poked and scratched at her bare feet. She picked her way across the yard, doing her best to avoid the worst of them. The moonlight helped, but she still put her weight down a few times only to wince and pull her foot back. Her feet ached worse with every misstep. By the time she reached the house, she fully understood why all the locals wore thick leather boots.
The house's windows were dark, but she stepped up to the door and knocked anyway. No answer. She knocked again, calling out for help. The house remained dark, wrapped in a brooding silence.
Uneasiness crept back into Victoria's stomach as she stood on the porch. She felt exposed. Her back was to the barn and the expanse of desert beyond it. Those people or creatures or whatever they were could still be out there, watching her. In the barn, they had disappeared in a gust of wind. They might be able to return the same way. She glanced over her shoulder. Nothing moved behind her, but that didn't mean she was safe. With those things out there somewhere, she was never safe.
Victoria's nerves finally overwhelmed her good manners, and she tried the doorknob. Finding it unlocked, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. The air was just as cold inside even though none of the windows were open. She called out again, her voice ringing in the absolute stillness, but nothing stirred. Spirits sinking,