Chapter eighteen

SEBASTIAN'S POV.

I woke up to a strange noise outside, and for a moment, I was disoriented. It took me a few seconds to remember that I had fallen asleep on the floor of Clara's room, holding her in my arms. I slowly untangled myself from her and got to my feet, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Hailee stirred beside me and groggily sat up.

"What was that noise?" she asked, her voice husky with sleep.

"I don't know," I said, walking towards the window. I peered outside, but it was too dark to see anything. Suddenly, there was another noise, louder this time, and I could make out the sound of footsteps crunching on gravel.

Clara and I exchanged a look, and then we both scrambled to our feet. I felt a sudden sense of vulnerability, standing there in just my boxers, with no weapons to defend myself.

We stood frozen for a moment, listening to the sound of the footsteps growing closer. Then, suddenly, they stopped. There was a long moment of silence, and I felt my heart pounding in my chest.