I did.

The lock clicked when he turned it.

The sound was loud in the quiet room.

His office smelled like old books and leather and that same dark cologne. There was a big wooden desk, two leather chairs, and shelves lining every wall. No windows. Just the three of us and the heavy silence.

Professor Vale walked behind his desk but didn’t sit. He just looked at me. Really looked. Like he was memorizing every inch.

“Take off your coat.”

My fingers fumbled with the buttons. I shrugged it off and held it in front of me like a shield.

“Drop it.”

I let it fall to the floor....