Page 35 of Twisted Empire

Elias squinted, one hand on his forehead to block out the blinding light from the water. “Yes.” He glanced around to make sure we were definitely alone out here, and then he grabbed my hand. “Let’s go.”

We dashed down the path on the left, footsteps crunching over mounds of sand. Henry was on the far side of the beach, about a hundred yards away, staring out at the liquid gold of the coastal sunset.

“I’m sorry we’re so late,” Elias called out as we approached. “Thanks for waiting.”

Henry didn’t reply. He kept staring out at the water instead.

A cold lick of fear crept up my spine. “Stop,” I said, grabbing Elias by his jacket sleeve.

“It’s only us here,” he said in a soothing tone. “Don’t worry, he hasn’t sold us out.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about,” I said, my voice trembling. “It’s just… something seems off about him.”

Elias frowned and kept walking toward Henry, his movements more careful and measured now. “Hey, man. You okay?” he called out.

Tension grew in my face and limbs. I caught up to Elias just as he reached his old friend, and a sharp squeal escaped my mouth only seconds later.

Henry was propped up against the rock at an awkward angle, his face aimed at the lapping water, eyes milky blue and unseeing as his mouth hung open.

He was dead.

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