The rotten wood of the door vibrated each time I slammed my boot sole against it. Nothing. No sound from inside. Not even a cough, not even a "just a minute." I even thought she might have jumped out the window — but that crappy bathroom didn't have a window big enough for that. She was doing this on purpose. Of course she was.
I leaned against the wall of the dorm house with a sigh — and a creak from the loose boards. My clothes reeked of moss and defeat, but Thalia was alive. Because of me, just to be clear.
And if it's my fault, then I'll take the headache too.
I kept staring at a crack in the wall while the steam leaked out from under the door. She was taking her time. Longer than necessary.
