Chapter Eleven

Madeline rushed to her cottage. Turning to her friends, she said, “It’s going to be okay, Varian has it under control.”

“We know,” Kyler said. “We… well, this cottage has a window.”

“Oh,” Madeline said, her hand subconsciously traveling to her lips. “So… you saw.”

“I knew you liked him,” Brylee said. Kyler gave her a weird look. “What? I say it like it is. She obviously likes him, he obviously likes her.”

“Guys, we just have to stay safe right now. Stay away from the windows, Kyler,” Madeline ordered.

“Hey, yelling at him is my job!” Brylee complained.

“I was just joking. But seriously, Kyler, the windows are dangerous.”

“Okay, I get it,” he said as they traveled into her workshop, the only room without windows. She shut the door behind them. It slammed shut with an ominous click, and Madeline shivered.

The house started to shake. Kyler subconsciously reached for Brylee’s hand. She yanked hers away, but when the shaking intensified, she grabbed it. Madeline reached over and took their hands. They sat in a circle, fear evident on their faces as they looked at each other. The house started to crumble. When a chunk fell right in the middle of their little circle, Madeline knew what she had to do. Closing her eyes, she released her friends’ hands and held her palms out in front of her.

The ground shook more, but this time, rocks shot out of the ground, encircling them in a dome. Madeline fought for control, trying not to let the nightmares take over.

No, not my child!

Dad!

Madeline, please!

His words echoed in her mind. ''Madeline, please! Madeline, please…''

“NO!” she screamed, fighting the rising rocks. “No!”

Madeline, please… it had lost its desperation, leaving only sadness, which was somehow worse. Madeline, please… Madeline, please...