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Tina runs up to us, her perfect curls bouncing. “Rose, I haven’t seen you around much. I was worried about you with all this Shadowface stuff going on.”

I keep my eyes drawn down and smile shyly as Cindy and her girls join her from behind. “I’m fine, just keeping a low profile with everything going on.”

Cindy watches me suspiciously, then moves her attention to Talia. “Talia Vital, is that you?” Cindy says. “I thought you’ve gone and disappeared on us again. I haven’t seen you at church much.”

Talia shrugs and crosses her arms. “I haven’t really felt like going lately. I’m not a big fan of the new clergy. Father Malcolm was such an inspiration to all of us, and it’s simply not the same without him.”

Cindy’s eyes flicker, a silent battle raging, but she recovers quickly and clicks her tongue. “I hope you haven’t turned your back on Jesus entirely. Your soul is still redeemable, you know…everyone is.”

Talia smiles sweetly, but a burning rage seeps out of her. And now I understand the root of it. These people were horrible to her…they killed her.

Part of me wants to take the knife hidden under my clothes and slice Cindy’s tongue off for speaking to her that way. But Talia seems like she can take care of herself, so I restrain myself…for now.

“Don’t worry, Cindy. I pray for my soul every day.” Her hand finds Cindy’s arm. “And I pray for yours as well.”

Cindy’s eyes twitch at the eluded threat, while my eyes go blurry from a cloud that crosses the sun, starkly changing the light.

“Who’s your friend here, Talia? Aren’t you going to introduce us?

“Oh,” Tina says enthusiastically. “This is Rose. She’s in my math and psychology classes.”

Cindy rakes her gaze over me as I divert mine to the ground. “Perhaps she would like to join us on Sunday?”

Tina nearly squeals. “You should come to church. Everyone is so friendly, and I know how religious you are. They’ve welcomed me with open arms. We do bake sales, and girls’ nights, and we raise money for charity. You would love it, Rose.”

Cindy is burning a hole in the side of my skull, but I refuse to look up. If she sees my eyes, she will know. If she doesn’t already…

“Well?” Tina asks, tapping her toe. “Rose, you should respond. It’s rude not to.”

“Yeah,” I whisper. “I’d love to⁠—”

“Not everyone is into the church thing, Tina,” Cindy interrupts. “Perhaps you two would like to join us for a party on Saturday instead. We are breaking curfew this weekend and are throwing a bash in the woods. We are sick and tired of these Shadowface rumors. We are all going to stand in solidarity. It’s not an event you will want to miss.”

She’s daring us…tempting us. There is more going on here than meets the eye.

I stay silent and wait for Talia to respond. “I don’t think we are into the same type of parties, Cindy. But thank you so much for your kind offer.”

“Your presence will surely be missed. Parties in this town aren’t the same without a Vital,” Cindy says with a haunting smile. “Perhaps we can bury old feelings.”

I let out a small gasp, and Talia cuts me with a sharp look. I lower my head in obedience, but my heart is stinging for her.

“Please consider it,” Tina says, oblivious to the wickedness among her. “I promise nothing bad will happen. We all need a little fun. I’m sure whoever is doing this will get caught. Good will always win out over evil.”

Talia makes her own symbol and flashes her teeth. “The worst kind of evil.” She says it so casually.

Tina shakes her head. “I pray whoever did this finds Jesus. God help their souls.”

My eyes remain fixed on the stone pathway that leads to the sandstone buildings beyond, but I can sense the weight of Cindy’s eyes bearing into me. “Do you not like to look people in the eyes when they talk to you? Or have you left your manners at home?” She pauses for a moment. “Where do you come from, Rose?”

Talia grabs my hand. “Rose is just shy, and we’re late for class.” She pulls me away from them. “We’ll be seeing you, Cindy.”

“We’ll see you girls at the party then…” Tina yells.

“Bring that handsome brother of yours, Talia,” Cindy taunts.

Once we are out of earshot, I pull my hand away. “She knows it’s me,” I hiss. “They’re going to lynch me. I just know it.”

Talia pauses, glancing back at them, her jaw ticking. “Yeah, I think maybe she does. She’s up to something. Everyone in this town is up to something… I can feel it.”