Thunder from the approaching storm grows louder while the ocean waves below the castle create a deep hum that echoes into the upstairs hallway.

At the writing desk, Nia taps her pencil on the journal page while she thinks of words to improve her poem. So far, it goes like this,

            Bubble poppers,

            Drain stoppers,

            Golden gems,

            Orange pets.

I could change ‘Drain stoppers’ to ‘Pond bobbers?’ No, it still doesn’t sound right. ‘Swimming coppers?’ Yes! That works! Mr. Cash is sure to like the poem! I’ll make sure to get a chance to read it to…

A roar of thunder jolts Nia from her chair and nearly makes her tear the journal’s page in half.

Lightning bolts appear outside the bedroom window as the only lights in the night-like sky. Lamps flicker on and off.

Nia struggles to catch her breath. I hate thunderstorms! Thank God I got here before the storm came. Hopefully, Mr. Chav didn’t hear me fall. He’ll think I’m stupid for being afraid of storms as an adult. I guess it is silly. Toughen up, Nia; you can’t show any weakness to anyone ever again. Mom and Dad are examples of that.

Nia closes the window blinds and draws the emerald-colored curtains to avoid another surprise. She then turns off the reading lamp and checks her cell phone battery.

It’s seventy-two percent, so it’ll need a charge. I can squeeze in several minutes before the storm finally reaches land. I hope Mr. Cash is okay because this weather isn’t the best to be in when you run errands.

While the phone charges, Nia investigates the private bathroom. A large white bathtub with jets sits at the room’s far end. To the right is a white vanity with a marble countertop and a mirror hanging over it.

Once again, he goes all out to treat his friends well.

After putting her toiletries in the cabinets and sink top, Nia puts her clothes in the closet. While doing so, she notices a door handle on the other side of the closet’s wall.

What’s that doing there? Is this door for emergency exits or…

When Nia turns on the light, the handle reveals itself to be part of a door inside the closet which, to her horror, opens.