#Chapter 22: Sirius’s Monster

A strangled sob passes my lips as I stare at my name on the folded piece of paper. Alston wrote this. I’d recognize that scripted E anywhere. I crawl across the room and pull myself into the center of the bed, cradling the note to my chest. My hands tremble as I struggle to rip the note open. I have to wipe my tears away with the back of my hand and take several deep breaths before I can steady myself to open Alston’s note to me. Just as I begin to unfold the paper, I hear the creak of the door opening. My heart skips a beat, and I quickly hide the note under my pillow. Sirius stumbles into the room, disheveled and reeking of whiskey. His shirt is untucked, his hair messed up, and there is a haunted look in his eyes. “Sirius,” I whisper, moving to sit on my knees. “Elise,” he slurs, leaning against the doorframe, barely able to keep himself up. The guard at the door hovers over Sirius’s slumped form, but he ignores him, keeping his eyes on me. “Elise.” “Yes, Sirius. What’s wro