Page 98 of Firefly Effect

Dylan tilts his head and challenges me with a look that tells me he knows a hell of a lot more about me longer than I know about him. “You sure about that? I tracked his phone before he lost signal. He’s in the woods, Evie.”

“Why would he be there?” But the answer dawns on me a second later. “Is Lucy in the woods?”

Dylan’s expression and tone soften. “I can only guess that’s why Lincoln went in there.” He sighs. “I know this goes against everything you want to do, but if you won’t leave, maybe you should at least wait here. If he is in there looking for Lucy, then you can be here waiting if she comes out.”

“I’ll go with Dylan to search,” Patrick says, his eyes steady on mine. “Everything will be okay.”

“She doesn’t know you, Patrick.” My heart is breaking at the mere thought of not being out there, searching for her myself.

Even Dylan does a double take between us. “Which is why you should be here in case she finds her way out.” When Dylan seems to realize that his words aren’t convincing me, he tries again. “She knows me. Patrick and I will stay close together.”

I open my mouth to argue, but I quickly realize how much time is being wasted. “Just go already. Go find her.” I throw my arms out, showing them that I’ve given up. They win. “Go!” I yell.

They jolt into action and run in the direction of the trailhead. I pace for what seems like forever but is probably five whole minutes before I get too frustrated to stand by and do nothing to help.

I take a few steps toward the trailhead, looking desperately for any sign of activity through the trees. There’s still a good two hours left of daylight, so the chances of Lucy being found are good. I let that thought calm me a bit, then I pick up my phone again and search for Francine’s number.

She answers on the first ring. “Evie,” she says, sounding breathless. “Are you with Lincoln?”

Dread fills me. “I was hoping you were. He went to Deep Creek to find you guys. He was so worried Lucy would want to go on that firefly walk and…” I pause, not wanting to give any details he hasn’t given her yet. “I just got here to make sure everything was okay. Are you here?”

“Oh dear,” Francine says. “I was there earlier, but Lucy desperately wanted to play with Willow and see the fireflies, so I left. Lilith said she would take care of Lucy, but she was supposed to call Lincoln to tell him. I guess that didn’t happen. Now I can’t reach Lincoln or Lilith.” Her voice has begun to shake. “Oh, Evie, I think I made a terrible mistake.”

I pull in a deep breath, not wanting Francine to sense my worry. She’s frightened enough as it is. “You didn’t know. I think Linc’s phone is dead or he’s lost signal. It last pinged in the woods, so he might be in there with Lucy.” I try to give her an optimistic outcome. “Maybe they went to see the fireflies.” I cringe, knowing without a doubt it is not the truth.

“Maybe so.” Francine already sounds calmer.

“Dylan and my uncle Patrick are out there looking too. Everything is going to be okay, Francine.”

Even as I say those words, I know I have no right to. Carley didn’t make it out of the woods alive fourteen years ago, nor did the other eleven victims—possibly twelve, if Billy counts. What makes me think anyone would be safe now?

After ending the call, I take another two steps toward the woods, not sure how much more patient I can be. So I make rounds at the campsite, asking every single person there if they’ve seen a little blonde girl. I show them Lucy’s picture. Some saw her with the group of kids from earlier, but no one saw her walking alone.

Then I reach one of the last campsites and see a group of kids roasting marshmallows by the fire, along with several adults who are helping them.

The moment I spot a giggling Lucy holding a flaming marshmallow on a long stick, I want to burst into tears. Willow and her other school friends are holding sticks too. No one seems to understand that utter madness has broken out in the woods.

Lucy’s eyes widen when she sees me, and she leaps to her feet. One of the moms takes the stick from her before she sprints over and tosses her entire body into my open arms.

I inhale her sweet strawberry-shortcake scent then pull back. “Hey, Lucy.” It takes everything to keep the emotion out of my voice. “I didn’t know you were camping tonight.”

She nods excitedly. “Did you come with Daddy? He’s supposed to pick me up.”

More red flags abound in my thoughts. “I’m meeting him here too,” I tell her. Then I look up to one of the moms who’s approaching. I’ve seen her around town. “Hi,” I say. “Have you seen Lilith or Lincoln anywhere?”

The woman, who I now recognize as Julie, the owner of a retail shop on Main Street, shakes her head. “Lilith got a terrible migraine earlier, so she went home, but the girls were desperate to see the fireflies, so I said I’d watch them. I’m supposed to take Willow home later. I was told Lincoln would be picking up Lucy.”

Julie is mid-sentence when a series of suspicions wrap my heart like a coiled snake. My blood goes cold as I begin sorting pieces of an entirely new puzzle, one I never thought to put together until now.

Lilith is taking care of Lucy without Lincoln’s knowledge or permission.

Lilith is taking Lucy to see the fireflies, of all things.

Lilith lives in Bryson City, the suspected hometown of the killer.

Lilith was with Billy before he went missing.

Lilith is a patient of J.D.’s and now Lincoln’s.

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