Page 131 of Into the Dark, We Go

"Shouldn’t we just destroy it?" I cut in, my thoughts racing back to all the insanity and death this book had caused.

"No one will come for it. But if they do—well, that’s even more reason to hold on to it. Now, can you please let me rest a little? I’ve got a long drive ahead."

June persisted. "But what about that thing in the woods?"

"June, stop," Mitchell interrupted, his voice weary.

"Why? What if that monster goes on a killing spree now that we’ve set it free?"

"There was nothing in the woods," Mitchell cut her off firmly. "Just a bunch of crazies who kidnapped and killed people."

Nick didn’t even bother engaging, letting Mitchell hold on to his version of events. June pouted and angrily slumped back in her seat.

The truth was, I didn’t see anything in the woods. I was scared and hurt. Even Lucas’s phone could have been ahallucination. I regretted leaving it behind. It would’ve proven something. But maybe it was better that I didn’t bring it back with me. Admitting it was real was just as terrifying.

I looked back one more time. A white car was approaching us quickly. My heart started racing.

"There’s someone," I whispered in a tight voice.

Before Nick or the others could react, the car drew closer, its overhead lights flashing and the siren honking briefly. The Sheriff.

Nick stayed motionless, slumped in his seat with his arms crossed, but his posture stiffened.

"Are we in trouble? We should’ve kept the guns!" June panicked, but her brother gestured for her to be quiet.

The Sheriff leaned into the open window, his piercing eyes scanning each of us.

"All four of y’all made it out? No casualties?" he asked, his tone slightly amused, but it was hard to tell if it was genuine or sarcastic. No one answered; it was clearly a rhetorical question.

"Where is he?" the Sheriff demanded gruffly.

For a heartbeat, I wasn’t sure who he meant. But it became clear: Robert.

"Gone," Nick replied from the back seat.

The Sheriff’s gaze narrowed. "Is he dead?"

Nick sat rigid, jaw clenched. "We weren’t exactly in the mood to check his pulse."

The Sheriff’s lip curled. "Where’s the body, funny guy?"

"Gone," Nick repeated flatly.

The Sheriff’s eyes darkened, his stare like a threat. "Any chance someone might stumble upon him?" he asked, voice low.

Nick shook his head.

The Sheriff exhaled with a hiss. "I’ll take it from here when his wife notices he’s missing."

"Why are you doing this?" Nick asked.

"Because I have to."

"Then why were you covering for Robert?"

"Cause I didn’t have a choice. Now, get on outta here and lay low. Pray nobody comes lookin’ for ya. Big folks are gonna be upset."

"Maybe throw us a bone so we know what to expect? Mafia? The government?" Nick asked, and I couldn’t tell if he was teasing the Sheriff or being serious.