Chapter 8 - THE GHOST WHO WALKED INTO THE LIGHT
Voss had spent three years hiding behind blackout curtains.
He had convinced himself that the darkness made him safer.
That blindness made him vulnerable.
That trust was dangerous.
Cora disagreed.
One morning, she stood beside the windows.
"Can I open the curtains?"
Voss frowned.
"Why?"
"Because this room smells like a funeral."
He almost smiled.
"Open one."
She pulled the curtain aside.
Sunlight flooded the office.
Voss turned his face toward the warmth.
He couldn't see it.
But he could feel it.
Cora watched his expression soften.
"Better?" she asked.
He nodded.
"A little."
Then he said something unexpected.
"Describe the view."
Cora smiled.
"The river looks like hammered silver. There's a tugboat moving south. The sky's pale blue. Somebody on the street below is yelling at a parking meter."
Voss laughed.
A real laugh.
Cora stared.
He turned toward her.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You're staring."
"Yes."
"Why?"
She smiled.
"Because you sound human."
May you like
Voss laughed again.
And for the first time in three years, the office no longer felt like a tomb.
