Chapter 367

As soon as I arrived home, I hurriedly got out of the car and dashed toward the basement. Stevie had been incessantly barking in his cage, clearly sensing his owner's danger and restlessness. My heart raced with panic as the wounds on my foot reopened, causing me to stumble down the stairs. Pain surged through my body, and tears welled up uncontrollably. Despite the pain, I limped toward the basement, consumed by fear. If the basement was noisy, I wouldn't have been as worried because it would have meant Steven was still smashing things. It was the silence that terrified me, remembering Joel's words about Steve's tendency to harm himself. I didn't know why I was so anxious. It was as if there was a voice inside me urging me to save him, to go and rescue him… With trembling hands, I gripped the doorknob and twisted the iron wires on the outside, pushing the door open. As soon as I opened the door, the smell of blood filled the air, sending shivers down my spine. Terrified, I st