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PROLOGUE

TEN YEARS EARLIER

The body was heavier than he’d thought it would be. How could one so young and thin weigh so much?

He dragged her to the opening and shoved her down into the depths with the sole of his boot. Unwrapping the tools he needed from the hessian cloth, he deposited them in the rucksack and hauled it onto his back, then lowered himself down after her.

Hauling her along the ground until he reached the area he wanted, he positioned her upright so that her dead eyes could see him work. It took some time, but when he was finished, he didn’t get the feeling of accomplishment he’d thought he’d have. But no one would ever see her. Not down here.

Walking backwards, he made his way like a hunchback, sweeping away all indications that anyone had been here with a small brush he’d had in the bag. Squeaks and swishes accompanied his movement. Down here it was like another world. He felt safe and free. He didn’t want to leave. At this moment he felt he could go back there and lie down on the earth, close his eyes and join her in her final resting place. A black hole for a bitch who had rejected him.

He slogged on, untangling his jacket as it snagged on a jutting rock. The climb upwards was more difficult than his descent had been. He clutched the protrusions on the wall and heaved himself up and out. Sliding the covering back over the hole, he made sure there were no visible clues left behind. A quick glance around told him no one had seen him.

Back at the car, he threw the rucksack into the boot. The temperature had dropped in recent days and winter was biting on the horizon like a ravenous dog. He didn’t like winter. Or the cold. No, he much preferred the long summer nights when he could wander around for hours; when the moon appeared in a sky full of stars and he could howl like a wolf in heat if he had a mind to.

He felt the first drops of rain and jumped into the car before the black clouds burst. He had done the job. All would be well now. He was safe.

It wasn’t until the next day that he discovered his nightmare had only just begun.