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"I guess we're really doing this."

Carys laughs softly through her tears.

"I guess we are."

The moment lasts exactly twelve seconds. Then every motion sensor surrounding the property erupts simultaneously. Alarms scream from every corner of the yard. The cameras flash offline. The lights inside the cottage blink twice. Then die. The pressure slams into my chest before I even hear it.

The entity isn't waiting anymore. It knows exactly who we are. And now…

It knows we've finally figured it out too.

19

CARYS

OCTOBER 24 ~ 7 DAYS UNTIL HALLOWEEN

Sleepy Hollow has always known how to decorate for monsters. No one ever expected the monsters to decorate themselves.

The town is crowded despite the gray sky hanging low overhead. Families wander between pumpkin displays, couples carry cups of hot cider, and tour guides enthusiastically recount the legend of the Headless Horseman as though the greatest danger in Sleepy Hollow died more than two centuries ago.

I wonder how many people have unknowingly walked past something impossible. How many disappearances were dismissed because legends make convenient excuses.

My laptop sits open on the dining table while a second monitor displays the feeds from Rhett's perimeter cameras.

Every few seconds I glance from one screen to the other. Data. Video. Maps. Patterns. Control.

If I can understand what this thing is doing, maybe I can stay one step ahead of it.

"You've checked the same camera six times."

I don't look up.

"It was five."

Rhett smiles.

"I stand corrected."

Sayer laughs quietly from the couch where he's highlighting locations on one of the printed maps. The house almost feels…

Normal.

Almost.

The illusion lasts less than a minute. Sayer suddenly freezes. The yellow marker slips from his fingers. His head turns slowly toward the front window.

"Carys."

Every muscle in my body tightens.

"What is it?"

His voice drops to a whisper.

"It's here."

Rhett is already moving.