One step at a time, William used his newfound cane to climb the staircase. The thump of wood on stone echoed through the cellar. It wasn't a long climb, and he was soon at the top.
A double-door waited for him—tall and imposing. It wasn't locked. Nilse had just left, and they wouldn't lock him in, so William pushed the door open and stepped out.
He found himself in one of the monastery's long hallways. People were walking there, and when they saw him, some gasped.
"Is he up already? How is that possible?" one murmured.
A child playing nearby stared at William, then looked up at the nun beside him. "Who is that?"
Some of the people in the monastery didn't even know William existed. They had brought him in through a back entrance, hidden from most.
The nun smiled at the kid. "He's someone we are taking care of."
William could hear their chatter but paid it no mind. His focus was on his surroundings, trying to figure out where he was and, more importantly, if it was safe.
