A woman lives alone in a haunted house with a tragic past—but it’s the man who watches her from outside every night that terrifies and thrills her most. As lightning flashes and shadows deepen, fear and forbidden desire blur. Is he just a stalker… or something far more dangerous? Something tells her the worst is yet to come.
She swallows. “I think… I think he was Francesca’s… favorite.” I frown, not really sure what she’s getting at. “Like favorite guard or-“ She shakes her head, her lips tightening. “I’ve heard Lillian say nasty things about them. About how much Francesca likes the way Rio… tends to her.” My mouth pops open, realization dawning.…
The gates open for us again, and he pulls out onto the road. “Can you take me to one more place?” I ask. “Anywhere,” he answers. I hold up my arm, showing him the barcode Rio tattooed on my wrist. “I want to get a tattoo.” He smiles. “Of my name?” I snort. “Keep dreaming,…
“Sure, baby,” he agrees, nodding toward the door. “I’ll be in the car.” He stands, then pauses and looks at me. “And by the way, nothing is awkward between us. If you need me to pluck a butthole hair, I’ll do it.” He shrugs, “Or you know, pop an ingrown hair on your vagina.” My…
I still haven’t figured that out. Shooting him a narrow-eyed look when he catches me staring and winks, I turn away before he can see the smile threatening to curl my lips. People are bundled up in their coats, bustling down the street and in and out of shops. My attention snags on a person…
Jay nods. “Yeah, she’s kind of like Addie right now. Doesn’t speak much and her emotions are unstable. She’s so young and has been through a lot.” Once Addie had gotten in my car, she had given me two names, along with a plea to save one of them from a sunflower field. Rio’s sister,…
Addie rolls over to face me, once more a little burrito in her bed. She’s intent on wasting away for now, but I plan on channeling her trauma into better, more healthy avenues when she’s ready. Her sweet caramel pools peer up at me, a slight frown on her face. Shadows stain the underside of…
I turn to Michael, “You and Ruby go right, and Daya and I will go left.” He nods, already taking off in the direction. “See you soon,” he says, waving a hand, Ruby quickly following after him. “Ruby!” I call. “You got a gun, right?” “You’re damn right I do,” she shouts back, not even…
Deciding to forge ahead, I take a moment to gobble down a granola bar and chug half a bottle of water, determined to eat and drink sparingly. I want to throw these stupid water bottles for nearly getting me caught, but I have no idea how long I’m going to be stranded for, so I…
“Oh my God, Daya,” I croak, once more overcome with disbelief. “Let’s get you up, baby,” Zade urges. “It’s cold, and the place is still swarming with people looking for you.” I sniff, wipe my nose, and nod. He boosts me up, and Daya grabs onto my hands, helping me out of the trailer. When…
“There’s an abandoned train somewhere out there. I found it the night of the Culling. I was going to follow that out,” I say. In the back of my brain, my logical side is screaming at me to stop telling him my plans in case he betrays me. But the larger side of me wants…