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I groaned quietly to myself and followed as Nurse B led me to the back of the cabin and into the nursing station.

“I’m going to be heading into town in a bit and need someone to keep an eye on the nursing station.” She sat down and smiled. “I would have asked Willie, but he has his own tasks to take care of.” My head ached a little.

I glanced around the nursing station. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.” My head began to ache.

She tilted her head ever so slightly. “And why not?”

I needed to tell her about Sabbath. About The Redwood, The Ancient One and The Order, and how everything she had believed was true. And they were coming. Tonight. I knew it’d sound insane, but Nurse B was the only person here who might know what to do.

“Nurse B.” I cleared my throat. “There’s something I need to tell you. Something important.” She waited patiently for me to continue. “You know how you told me about the redwoods and everything? The rumors surrounding this place? It’s not just rumors. It’s true. All of it.”

Nurse B didn’t move or blink. She sat still as could be. I wasn’t sure what to say or do. “Aster.” She stood. “I think you should learn to separate truth from fantasy.”

What?

“I understand the fear of the unknown, and while the redwoods are mysterious, they are simply trees.”

I shook my head. “No. No, this is not about just trees! There’s so much more to it than that!

” My head ached some more. “There’s this group of people living out in those woods.

They’re called The Order, and every ten years they enter this camp and kill people!

Murder them!” I felt like I was getting really worked up.

“It’s been ten years since the last murders occurred.

Which means they are coming for us. All of us. Tonight!”

Fuck, my head really hurts.

Nurse B walked closer and looked at the nearly healed wound across my forehead.

“Are you feeling alright, Aster?” Her palm pressed against me as if checking for a fever.

“My, you are burning up. You must be putting your body under too much stress.” She quickly stepped away and began to search for something.

“You should lie down and rest for a moment.”

My head wasn’t hot. “No, I’m alright. It’s just a little headache. I’ll be fine. But Nurse B, I’m being serious. It’s not safe here. Camp Redwood?—”

“I have lived in these woods my entire life, Aster. I have worked at this camp most of my life as well. And you know what I have never witnessed?” She turned to face me with a small, blank bottle of pills.

“Murder.” The woman walked back over to me, lifted my hand, and tapped the bottle until two small pills fell into my palm.

“Yes, people get lost and accidents happen. But I have never seen, nor heard, any being murdered in these woods.”

I stared at the pills, confused. “But Kaila said Tabitha’s dad was found dead just outside the camp ten years ago. And Solomon was telling us about this article he read.”

Nurse B ruptured into laughter. “Solomon has always been one to tell tall tales. He’s been doing that since he was a child!

And yes, poor Tabitha’s father was found dead a decade ago.

But he wasn’t murdered, Aster. He had a terrible accident.

Tragic, but not murder. Oh! I almost forgot!

” She moved around and handed me a small cup of water.

“You need water for those, right?” She smiled.

“They’ll help with your head pain.” My eyes fell to the strange pills within my palm.

“Oh, go on. They’re just some little painkillers. ”

“But, Nurse B.”

“Enough, Aster. Take those pills and then you can tell me all about whatever it is you think is going to happen. Though I’m sure everything is fine.”

If my head wasn’t aching so damn bad, I would’ve said no.

But I suddenly couldn’t focus with this pulsating pressure around my brain.

I could barely keep my thoughts on track, let alone explain what was going on.

Maybe this was the best choice. If my head chilled out, I could focus easily on the real issue and warn everyone.

We could try to get out of here before it was too late.

But I just needed my fucking head to stop hurting.

I tossed the pills back and took a large sip of water before swallowing them. Nurse B took my cup and motioned for me to sit down on the cot. “Now.” She crossed her arms with a heavy sigh. “Tell me what’s going on.”

“I was saying the?—”

“Oh! One second!” Nurse B turned around. “I think I hear someone at the door.”

“But, Nurse B.” Something felt off.

She gently touched my shoulder and smiled.

“Don’t worry, Aster. I’ll be back. But while you wait, try to rest. You’ve been through so much.

” My head suddenly felt dizzy. I tried to focus on the woman’s silhouette, but my vision began to blur, and the room rocked back and forth.

I swayed and eventually fell over onto the cot.

What is happening to me?

I blinked and watched as Nurse B tucked my legs onto the cot. “Poor thing.” She brushed my hair from my face. “Now, you stay right there and keep an eye on this place for me. Okay? This will all be over before you know it.”

What? No.

And just like that, I passed the fuck out.