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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Two years ago

ERIN

Erin hasn’t been nervous before now, but as she stares at the scene waiting for her through the trees, a thought crosses her mind.

If she runs, the darkness will cover her.

She will likely outrun the rest of them, and she knows where the road meets the woods. She can flag down a car, or find a phone signal and call someone. At the very least, she can hide out until morning and then make a run for it.

Maybe it’s the fire that is making her wary, the heat of it beating through the trees. Or perhaps it’s the voice in her head that says, Your Mum would kill you if she knew where you were .

The singing has started, a single drumbeat starting up. The melody is rousing, not sinister. It looks more like a party than a ritual.

She takes a breath, reminding herself why she is here.

How important it is.

What this means .