His Perfect Lyra

Lyra's POV 

I had the book in my hand now.

No title. No picture. Just a dark red cover.

The truth… it had to be inside here. Waiting beyond this moment.

I opened the first page.

Chapter One.

 The pond behind Voss Manor had been quiet for years. No ripples. No flowers floating on its surface. Only a single grave remained nearby:

Marcelline Voss

January 22, 1974 — August 8, 2009

They said she slipped. Some said she jumped. But the ones who really knew… whispered that a man pushed her. And there had been a boy there, once. Small. He never spoke of it. Not then. Not ever. But even now, that pond never stays still.

I stopped.

Wait… this is—

A normal book?

I flipped through more pages.

Nothing strange. No hidden notes. No codes.

Just… a regular book.

That hit harder than I expected.

I never felt so defeated.

But I wasn't giving up yet. Not yet.

I glanced at Silas again.

Still not moving.

One more search.

I checked his pockets, his thin jacket, everywhere I could.

No papers. No extra key. No wallet.

Just a book, a key, and that same coffee cup.

That was it.

I felt like my head was going to explode from thinking.

I stood up and paced the hallway, trying to gather my thoughts.

Five doors:

• Washroom

• Small tight room

• My front door

• Storage room

• The last door, possibly leading outside

Only one place I hadn't searched was the storage room.

I gave Silas a quick look. Still not moving.

Good.

I went inside, hoping for anything useful.

But all I saw were supplies: canned food, bottled water, clothes, pads, toilet paper.

Nothing that could help.

I did spot an electrical breaker box… but no clue if it connected outside. It didn't look helpful.

The code…

It had to be something personal. Something Silas would always remember.

Maybe it was related to me.

But how could I figure it out if I didn't even remember myself?

I thought hard, standing in front of that door with the passcode still glowing on the screen.

I scanned the keypad, hoping to see a worn-out number or a clue.

Nothing.

That's when it hit me.

I had to make Silas talk.

But how?

I already tied him up. Maybe I could scare him.

With what, though?

All my thoughts rushed at once.

And because of that…

I didn't notice.

I didn't feel it until it was too late.

His breath.

Right behind my neck.

Slow. Warm.

I froze.

He was standing right behind me.

How?

I tied him up…

Shit.

I screwed up.