When I close the door to the house, I lock it. That doesn’t feel safe, because I figure Wolf has a key. Suddenly everything I’ve believed for my entire life is in question. I always thought I was so smart; turns out it is quite possible that I’m an idiot.

No wonder Devil was so upset with me!

I try to think of what I might need, in case I can help whoever is in the cellar. I’m praying it’s not Devil, but in my heart I feel like it is. It never made sense to me why Devil would leave without a word and not answer my call. Even in our fight, he said I knew how to find him. It didn’t make sense that he would completely ignore me, especially after I apologized and promised I’d do things differently.

I force my mind away from those thoughts. I need to keep it together. I need to check out the cellar, hopefully find out Devil is not there, and then I need to get the fuck out of here—and I need to do all of that before Wolf comes back.

Devil called his club from my house phone. I could find that number and call them—but what if I’m wrong? What if it’s not Devil down there?

I run to my bathroom and grab a first aid kit, then I go into the den and find the secret compartment under my dad’s desk. There’s only two people who know about that compartment.

My dad and me.

Once I lift the false bottom I take out the keys I find there. I frown because there’s also a letter in there. I fold it and slip it into my pants pocket for later. I need to get to the cellar before I lose my nerve. I make my way to my bedroom and grab the small dagger my dad gave me for my sixteenth birthday and my pistol—both of which I keep under my bed in a safe. I load the gun and store each securely at the back of my jeans. Then, I put on a long-sleeved shirt, to help hide it and to serve as a jacket. The cellar can be cold.

I retrace my steps and move Dad’s desk enough so I can open the trap door. I don’t know if Wolf knows about the cellar door here. I figure he probably does, but I doubt he thinks I’d ever use it without a reason.

My hands are shaking so much it takes me three tries to get the key to fit into the lock on the door to the cellar. I curl my nose at the musty smell that immediately greets me, but I ignore it and go down the steps.

I use my phone and the flashlight feature to light the way. I wasn’t kidding to Devil. My father hated the dark so he had state of the art LED lighting installed down here and they’re operated by solar power from panels on the roof. I’m afraid to use them right now. I don’t want anything to tip someone off that I’m down here.

There’s no sign of anyone down here, and with that knowledge I start to breathe easier. Still, I do my best to remain quiet. There’s a bedroom area off to my right that was meant to be my father’s and mine in times of emergency. I ignore that and keep traveling the hall, knowing it will take me to the club’s section and there’s where I need to be the most careful. As I near the club’s section there’s another door. This one is locked too and it has an additional keypad. I send up a small prayer that Wolf hasn’t changed anything and I type in my birthdate. The light on the knob goes from red to green. Next I find the right key, insert and turn it. The tumbler clicks and the door unlocks.

It’s a small victory—but still a victory.

I pull the door closed, but don’t lock it back. I need it to look normal in case someone comes by. Next, I head toward the area my dad never wanted me to go. I figure if there’s a place set up for torture it will be there. When he first told me to stay away from that side of the shelter, I thought this was where the club girls all stayed and thought it was crazy my dad was being so protective, because I had seen the men with all the girls before.

Shit. I really am stupid.

This cellar is a fallout shelter really. I don’t want to say my dad believed in the zombie apocalypse, but I think he believed nuclear war would break out and he wanted a city underground. It cost the club a cool million I think to build. It’s the size of two decent houses put together. I always thought it was neat… Now? Not so much.

I can see the light up ahead and hear someone talking. The door is closed, but cracked open. I guess they don’t think they need to worry about hiding anything. I lean against the wall, hiding myself from the room, wanting to catch my breath.

“Now how did I know I’d find you here?”

I start to scream, but Daniel strains, pulling his body up enough that he can clamp his hand over my mouth.

“Since we’re neither one supposed to be here right now, I don’t think you really want to do that, do you?” he asks. My eyes go wide. I can’t talk because of his hand, so I nod my head in agreement. “Now I’m going to take my hand away, but when I do, no screaming. You don’t need to be doing anything that will get either of us killed. Got me?” he asks and again I nod.

Once his hand is taken away, I back up a step or two, my hand automatically going to the back of my pants where I have my gun hid.

“Cool it, moonbeam. I’m on your side.”

“My side?” I whisper.

“I may not be able to use my legs anymore, but I’m not stupid. I know Wolf and his minions have been up to shit. When I saw you today, I figured you knew it too. Red’s been making a lot of trips out of this old cellar the last few days. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out whatever had you looking so spooked earlier would lead me here.”

“How did you get down here?”

“Your old man installed an elevator after my accident. He did his best to make me feel part of the club if he could. He was a good guy. I’m sorry you lost him.”

“Is that why you’re here? Because you feel you owe it to my dad?”

“Maybe. I think the others know more about his death than they should—which means I let my friend down. I figure the least I can do is help his daughter now.”

“Where’s the elevator?” I ask, trying to wrap my mind around everything.

“It connects to the club. You ready to find out what Wolf’s hiding down here?”

“I think it’s more like a who…” I murmur, hoping I can trust Daniel. He and Dad were pretty close before Daniel’s accident, but I don’t remember him all that well. Considering what I’m learning about Wolf—maybe that’s not a bad thing.

“All the better. I’ll go first. They won’t think much about a man in wheelchair being here—especially since I’m a member of the club. For some reason these ass-fucks think being in a wheelchair means you’re stupid too. I’ve got a gun, but I’d rather not use it. One shot and it doesn’t matter we’re underground, they’ll hear it in the control room at the club.”

I nod, because I know he’s right. There’s a giant control room at the back of the club that contains cameras and surveillance equipment as well as the latest computers on the market. The halls are wired with cameras, but I know the rooms are too. I’ve been worrying about it.

“The cameras—” I start and Daniel grins.

“Took care of that. I figure we got about fifteen minutes before they discover the problem with the cameras. Which means we need to get moving. You ready?”

I nod my head and follow behind Dan, praying I’m not wrong to trust him.