Vlad starts unbuttoning his shirt. He’s a lion, the master of the pride—who dragged a ewe into his den. He enjoys the prey and doesn’t hurry to eat it. He plays.
I watch, spellbound: one button, two, three…
— W-what are you doing?— I ask, hoarse, noisily exhale, and pull the doorknob. It’s locked!
Oh no! A danger signal booms in my head.
Run! Immediately! Now!
— And how do you think?
— Don’t you dare!— I tremble with excitement. — Don’t you dare!