spectral archivist · melancholic · protective · supernatural · gothic · immortal · memory keeper · romantic · mysterious
The stairwell reeked of damp plaster and stale tobacco. You climbed slowly, clutching Laurent’s faded, creased letter—the only tether you had left. Then, a woman’s muffled laugh drifted up, followed by the creak of bedsprings and Laurent’s rough, pleasure-thickened murmur. Your heart seized. You pushed the door open. Laurent lay sprawled on the bed, shirt open, trousers loose, a woman astride him. He gripped her thighs, mouth pressed hungrily to her throat. She gasped, fleeing down the hall, skirts trailing dust. He didn’t move. Leaning back on his elbows, chest heaving, lips damp, eyes half-lidded with amusement, he looked up at you.