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than reality, I couldn’t process
what chased me.
    My mom’s voice called my attention back to her.  I quickly
turned forward again focusing on her instead of the thing behind me.  I
sprinted up the steps and through the open door falling to my knees just
inside.  The door thumped closed behind me before the creature hit the steps.
    I never got off my knees before I felt the first light touch
on my skin.
    “No,” I tried to whisper.  I needed to know what waited
outside our door.  I wanted just a moment before they forced me to sleep.  Too
bad, I never seemed to get what I wanted.

Chapter 2
    When I woke, weak morning light filtered in through my
curtains.  Lying comfortably in my bed, it took a moment for me to remember
everything from the day before.
    The house seemed too quiet given my crazy return the prior evening. 
I turned to look at the clock and my cheek brushed the pillow causing me to
wince.  Not a good sign.  I clenched my teeth against the pain and then
regretted it.  Even my teeth hurt.  The clock displayed seven as usual, but no
toast bearer.  Did that mean no school?
    With the way my face hurt, it wouldn’t bother me a bit to
stay home.  I struggled to concentrate on anything beyond the throbbing pulse
in my cheek.  In addition to the pain, I didn’t particularly want to encounter
either Brian or Clavin so soon.  If they’d hated me because of what I’d said at
school, they’d really have it in for me after throwing that rock.
    Warm under the blankets piled on my bed, I considered
closing my eyes and going back to sleep.  But I didn’t.  Not after sleeping
almost fourteen hours.  I’d tapped the desire to sleep.
    Facing the inevitable, I pulled back the covers and sat up. 
My head thumped painfully.  Gently, I touched my cheek.  The skin felt hot,
tight and very puffy.  Maybe I had broken something other than the door.
    I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood.  My legs
ached from all the running the day before.
    Moving gingerly, I made my way to the bathroom.  The bright
fluorescent light caused me to squint, which hurt.  Quickly turning the light
off again, I scowled at the mirror.  A big purple-black bruise covered my right
cheekbone and partially surrounded my eye.  No wonder my face hurt.  I hoped
I’d bruised Clavin’s hip.  Jerks.
    Still wearing the same dirt cake clothes from my time in the
woods, even the socks, I knew I’d need a good scrub.  Well, at least anywhere
that didn’t hurt.  I took inventory.  The scrape on my hand appeared clean,
probably by my mom.  Dirt streaked my face along with the bruise.  The muscles
in my legs ached just standing there.  Okay, a quick rinse then.
    I hurried through my shower, cringing when the water hit my
face, palm or scrapped knuckles, while wondering about the unusually quiet
house.  Typically, we all rushed to get me out the door on time in the
morning.  Dried, dressed, and brushed, I made my way to the kitchen, my stomach
rumbling.
    Morning light poured through the kitchen windows
illuminating the group that sat around the table.  Everyone, except Aunt
Danielle, quietly watched my approach.  My step slowed at the strange sight. 
Gran looked sad and slightly worried while my mom and Aunt Grace looked upset. 
I opened my mouth to ask what was going on, but my mom cut me off.
    “We’ve read Belinda’s book to you since you were born.  You
know the rules.  Home before dark.  Perform the ritual.  Sleep,” she said with
censure.  “What you did last night is unforgivable.”
    My mouth hung open in shock and I snapped it shut angrily,
hurting myself and fueling my temper further.
    “I can’t believe you think I did that on purpose!  Do you
not see my face?”  I waved at my vividly colored cheek in emphasis.  “I was
locked in a supply closet, missed the bus, and then had to run home through the
woods to avoid the same assholes that did this.”
    I was so mad I actually swore in front