Chapter 48: Derrick

Tuesday, October 4th

“YOU SHOT JOSH Worthington,” the words came out of me in an inarticulate mumble as I stared at his body. “You shot Josh Worthington!” No. She’d held my finger down on the trigger. “Holy shit. You’re a genius.”

Tess stared at Josh, her face ashen with shock. “I—I thought if he died then—”

“It can’t complete the ritual.” Why hadn’t I thought of that? I wanted to grab her, spin her around, and jump for joy, but the body in the middle of the floor tempered the impulse.

Across the room Matt groaned. I rushed to his side, looking for something to staunch the bleeding at his neck. Snatching a blanket off the couch, I pressed the cloth to his throat, unsure what the first aid protocol was for bleeding from the neck. It wasn’t like I could use a tourniquet. That would be strangulation.

“Can you check on Elizabeth?” Giddy relief pumped through me, giving my whole body the kind of TV static feeling I got when my foot fell asleep.

Tess didn’t move. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, no.” I waved off her concern. “If you killed Josh, maybe his death could still count toward the ritual. For all we know, the timing is a preference, not a requirement, right? Better safe than sorry.” Hysteria edged my laughter. “I really thought you were going to die for a minute there.”

“I am.” Her voice cracked.

What? My hands went still on the blanket I’d pressed to Matt’s neck. What did she mean—

Blood rolled down her thigh from a pencil-sized hole.

“No.” I ran to her when she went down hard on her knees, but she twisted out of my grip, convulsing.

Her mouth dropped open, spewing out a mass of shadows. They spun together like smoke into a tall, looming silhouette with too many joints. Darkened fingers ending in talons that dragged the floor without sound. Its knees bent like it couldn’t hold its own weight. A grin stretched across its face, empty and dark and wide enough to swallow me whole.

It just kept smiling.

“You—” It spoke with a multitude of screaming voices, all horrifyingly familiar. “—will regret that.”

He’s screaming. The memory of Josh’s voice echoed through my mind. He’s still screaming.

Sucked to be them. “Heal her.” I clamped my hand over Tess’s leg. Bruises colored her neck, and I swallowed hard, recognizing Josh’s handiwork. “Please. You can still—”

Tess’s back arched as she gasped for breath. Her skin bubbled as it burned.

“No, no, no! This wasn’t supposed to happen! It wasn’t supposed to—Tess!” My voice went hoarse.

Her eyes fluttered open, wide with pain and terror. She clutched at me, whimpering, crying, screaming in agony.

“I’ll do it!” I screamed. “I’ll take her place! I consent, I consent, please stop!”

“Too late.” The shadows burst apart and vanished.