Chapter 6 · Who Brought the Door

"Don't touch it."

Mark's voice cut through the warehouse before Lucas could get within three feet of the wall. The blood was still wet. Still dripping. YOU LET ONE IN, painted in something that had been alive ten minutes ago.

Lucas froze. "What is that?"

"Nothing good." Mark moved past him, eyes on Daniel. The vet sat in his usual chair like someone had nailed him there. Hadn't looked up. Hadn't blinked. Just stared at the message like it was written in a language only he could read.

Mark crouched in front of him. "Daniel. Talk to me."

Nothing.

"Daniel."

Daniel's mouth moved. No sound. His hands were flat on his thighs, fingers spread, trembling.

"Should I call someone?" Lucas asked behind him.

"Who?" Mark didn't look back. "Nine-one-one? Hey officer, my support group for interdimensional kidnapping survivors just got a threat in mystery blood, send a car?"

Lucas went quiet.

Mark leaned closer. Close enough to smell coffee and sweat. "Daniel. It's Mark. You're in the warehouse. You're safe."

Daniel's pupils were blown wide. Animal panic. Then something clicked.

"I didn't write it." His voice cracked. "I walked in and it was there. I sat down and I couldn't—