Chapter 4

The sound of footsteps sent a jolt of primal hope through Gracie. She began to crawl toward the door, a desperate sound forming in her throat.

I peered through a crack in the window shutters and saw a figure sprinting away.

It was Emily Norton, Gunner's sister.

I turned back to Gracie, a cruel smile playing on my lips. "Well, look at that. It's your darling daughter."

"Such a shame," I added. "She's already gone."

A rattling breath escaped Gracie's lips. She died with her eyes wide open, staring at the door her daughter had just abandoned.

As I watched…