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He doesn't argue. Good.

"Sayer, you tell us when you feel something changing. No ignoring it. No trying to be brave."

He nods.

"And you?"

I pick up my laptop.

"Patterns."

Rhett watches me.

"Of course."

"Someone has been leaving us clues."

"Or bait."

"Maybe."

"But bait still tells you something about the person setting the trap."

The lights return. Everything normal. Almost.

Rhett looks toward the windows.

"The entity wanted a reaction."

"And?"

"It got one."

I close my laptop.

"Then we make sure the next reaction is ours."

Outside, Halloween decorations sway in the wind. A skeleton hanging from a neighbor's porch rotates slowly. Its empty eyes face directly toward my cottage. Watching. Waiting.

The town is preparing for Halloween. But whatever is coming isn't interested in costumes. It doesn't want to pretend to be a monster.

It already is one.

14

RHETT

OCTOBER 23 ~ 8 DAYS UNTIL HALLOWEEN

Training reveals things people try to hide. Not because training creates weaknesses.

Because pressure removes the ability to pretend.

That is why I need to test Sayer. Not because I doubt him. Because I don't. And that makes this more dangerous.

If he is developing instincts like mine, then ignoring them won't make them disappear.

It will only leave him unprepared.