“How much farther?”
“We’re almost there,” Cody answers.
The other three don’t respond, but they exchange a glance and continue walking. Part of me is wondering if I should turn back. The other... Well, the other wants to find out what Caleb wanted to talk to me about. If it’s not to talk aboutus, then, maybe I’ll find the courage to bring it up. I felt something and need to know he felt it, too.
Twigs snap beneath our feet as we trek through the dead forest.Why is everything dead around here?
My stomach is in knots, and my gut is screaming. I keep checking behind me to see if Caleb is going to appear. Surely his meeting must be over by now, right?
“Are you sure he said to meet us out here? Maybe we should turn back.”
“Just a little further,” one female says.
I sigh. But sure enough, she was right.
“We’re here.”
Ahead, through the trees, are pyramid-shaped glass homes hidden in the darkest depths of the forest. You wouldn’t know it was still morning. I’m starting to think that, when we crossed into this new territory, time changed.
Stars and the night sky reflect on the glass, making the homes appear to be onyx instead of transparent. A porch leads to the front door of every single one, and wind chimes clink in the distance. But no Caleb.
One snaps at another. “You said he would be here. Where is he?”
“He’ll be here,” they respond. “Just relax.”
“I’m sorry. Sorry. It’s this place. I don’t like it out here. It gives me the creeps.”
Okay, something isdefinitelywrong. “Where’s Caleb? And”—I scan my surroundings again—“where are we?”
A snapping twig captures the group’s attention. “There he is.”
Their worry is replaced with relief. One rubs their hands together in anticipation for whatever is coming out of the forest. A guy from their crew appears, carrying a bloody and bruised teenager over his shoulder.
He throws the boy down at our feet in the center of us. I cover my mouth in horror at the sight. The boy’s face is puffy fromtaking a severely prolonged beating, but his eyes are glazed over, lifeless.
The same one I saw on the missing poster.
I bend down to check on him. Even though he’s gone, part of me hopes he’s not... I press my fingers to his neck, and the cold touch of skin should’ve been enough.
No pulse.
I cover my mouth in horror.
I’m not a fan of witches, but that doesn’t mean I want to see them dead. He was just a boy. Whoever he was, he didn’t deserve this.
The wolves around me gag at the sight, but the only repulsive thing here is their behavior.
They did this. And they’relaughingabout it. Yet, people callmea monster.
Place me in front of someone who has harmed a child, and I can be.
“Which one of you did this?” I snarl, but they just roar louder with their laughter.
My wolf is banging on the cage, louder than she ever has before.
She wants out.
Andfuckam I going to let her wreak havoc on every single one of them. They deserve it.
