He called the housekeeper.“Lock her in the basement.Do not let her out without my permission!”
The basement—Xavier’s pet room,a dark,windowless damp chamber where he kept hundreds of snakes—sent a shiver through me.I recoiled instinctively.
“I won’t go…!”
“Let go of me!”
I struggled with all my strength,but Xavier didn’t look back;I was thrown into that basement.
They slammed the door and the stifling heat rushed at me.The quiet room occasionally hissed;goosebumps covered my skin.Something strange brushed my feet and began to crawl up me with soft,whispering movements.
“Ah—”I screamed,flinching and trying to fling off the things crawling on me.
“Open the door!Let me out!”
“Open up!”
I pounded the door until my hands ached,but no one answered.The heat brought a rash that itched and burned;I grew dizzy and thrashed through the night until I had no strength left to call out.
I curled up in a corner,panting,my eyes filled with despair.
I don't know how long it took,but just before I lost consciousness,the door opened.
Xavier stood in the doorway,his backlit,silent for a long time.
Thinking I could finally leave,I forced myself to stand,holding onto the wall,and took a stumbling step.