Dann Silverman's Arc

Chapter 2 of 5

The next evening, Thorne returned the empty mug and asked Dann to come see the Victorian for himself. Dann followed him across the dark yard. The house loomed above them, all sharp peaks and stained glass, ivy clawing the trim. Bats stitched the sky. Dann told himself the chill was only the wind. Thorne held the heavy door open. Dann stepped inside. The lock clicked behind him, soft and final. The entryway was not an entryway at all. A giant crib stood against the wall. A rocking chair built for someone Dann's size creaked on its own. A pink bear taller than the coat rack watched him with stitched eyes. Thorne smiled and offered his hand. "Come further in," he said. His voice was warm, the same calm voice from the porch. Dann's feet moved before his mind caught up. In the corner of the next room, stacked neatly to his waist, sat a tower of thick white diapers, each one sized for a grown man. Dann's mouth went dry. He had wanted quiet company. He had not wanted this. He turned on his heel, walked back to the door, and let himself out without a word. The lock did not stop him going. But something in what he thought he wanted had cracked clean through.