My heart thudding in my chest, I stared toward the open grave. I wanted to hurry to the side of the grave. But I froze. My legs wouldn’t carry me.
I held my breath and listened.
Silence.
Even the wind had stopped. The trees over the old graveyard stood perfectly still.
I listened for Peter’s screams. Or the sounds of a fight. Or someone scraping and scrabbling to climb out.
But no.
Not a sound.
The silence felt so loud, I pressed my hands over my ears.
“Peter?”
Finally, I forced myself forward. I took a step toward the grave.
“Peter?”
Silence.
I lowered my hands to my sides. I had them balled into tight, tense fists.
I took another step toward the grave.
“Peter? Can you hear me?”
I took a deep breath and held it. Then I leaned over the grave and peered down.
“No. Oh, no,” I murmured.
The grave was empty.