Page 30 of The Witching Hours

“Not exactly. I just… feel like I’m getting bigger.”

“Getting bigger? Jen. You’re not getting bigger. We’re okay. Just stay quiet. They’ll give up and leave.”

“They’re not gonna give up, Tris. And those guys? They forgot goodness.”

“What do you mean forgot goodness?”

“They knew goodness. When they were born. But they forgot.”

He pulled her close and covered as much of her as he could in an embrace. “Don’t be afraid. They’re gonna get tired of looking and leave.”

That’s when they heard a bone-chilling, singsong call coming from right outside. “Oh, Precious. Daddy’s here. Come out and play.”

“Tris,” she said. “I’m scared and I’m…”

“Shhh,” he whispered in her ear. “You gotta stay quiet, cher.”

“But I’m getting bigger. And it feels funny.”

“Come out. Come out. Or Daddy’ll have to come in.”

Tristan could feel Jeanette shaking so badly she was almost convulsing. His own breathing was so rapid, he was almost gasping for air. He was half terrified of what the bikerswould do if they were found and half terrified of whatever was going on with Jeanette. Whatever that was, it was not normal.

They both jumped when something heavy hit the metal gate.

“Oh, God, Tristan. I’m…”

When the outer gate creaked, the vault was flooded with a blinding light that burst through the room and was gone leaving both door and gate standing open. Once their eyes readjusted, they could see that there was a bright light moving quickly beyond the door in the cemetery.

Whatever was happening out there was causing bloodcurdling screams. Bikers were yelling at each other to run and get out, but one by one the words became garbled screams. The entire event probably lasted no more than three minutes and then there was utter silence. Light burst into the vault once more, but was gone in a flash.

After their breathing evened out and their heart rates slowed to normal, Jeanette whispered, “Should we go see what’s going on?”

“No. It might be a trick. Let’s just stay here until it gets light.”

“You mean all night?”

“Well, yeah.”

Sitting on the cold stone floor, they slumped against the concrete tomb in the center. It was just as hard and cold and, unfortunately, was composed of material that does not absorb warmth. They leaned into each other for all the good it did. Jeanette thought she might’ve dozed for minutes at a time during the night, but she couldn’t be sure. What she did know for sure was that she’d always remember that date as the worst night of her life. She opened her eyes to Tristan jostling her as he stood.

It was light outside. Not like midday sun, but enough to see.

“Stay here,” he said. “I’m gonna go look.”

Tristan crept up to the door, which was standing wide open, and peeked outside. There was no sign of anyone and not a sound disturbing the quiet other than the ruffling feathers of a brown pelican perched on a horn-blowing cherub. Knowing how uneven the ground was, he looked down before he took a step forward. When he looked down, what caught his eye was his phone was lying on the ground. He knew it was his because the Otter box cover had the Greek symbol of his fraternity.

It was working just fine. He accessed the Spot360 app. Jen’s phone was also working which meant it hadn’t landed in water.

“JEN!” He yelled. “Come on out.”

He jumped at the voice right behind him. “No need to yell. I’m right here.”

Holding his phone up for proof, he said, “They left my phone. And it’s working.”

“It’s working?”

“Yeah. I might even be able to find your phone.”