Page 133 of Deliver us from Evil

I hear voices coming from inside. But no one’s headed out back yet.

I guess there’s enough to deal with inside.

We throw heaps of dirt around Keith’s legs and torso, trying to weigh him down as much as possible. Keith comes to when dirt starts hitting his head again. He twists, spitting and cursing when a shovel of dirt hits his face. He pushes his hand down, face contorting as he tries to pull himself out of the dirt.

But maybe he’s concussed, because he can’t seem to drag himself free.

And then he screams for help.

I jump into the grave and stomp on his head. He goes still, and then starts shaking. I stay there, my foot on the top of his head, as Cass fills in more dirt.

Just before I climb out to help Cass, I crouch down and brush away dirt from his one eye. It trembles, but it doesn’t open.

“See you in Hell, Keith Malone.”

We shovel in as much dirt as we dare, toss the spades into the hole on top of him and then dart around the side of the house. We wash our hands and shake loose dirt off our clothes, and then enter through the front door.

As we step inside the living room, I see a pair of cops step out onto the patio.

A hand fumbles against my leg. Cass laces his fingers through mine. I look down, then up at his face.

He’s staring after the cops, shoulders stiff, jaw bunched.

“If he’s still alive…” Cass murmurs. Tears brim in his icy-blue eyes, turning them shiny as fucking marbles.

“Then we’ll find him again.” I squeeze his hand fuck hard. “And we’ll dig him another fucking grave.”

Chapter Forty-Five

Trinity

I’m blindfolded. Gagged. My hands bound behind my back. My bare feet scrape over an icy concrete floor as I shuffle around in utter darkness trying to figure out where the hell I am.

Panic ratchets up my heart rate to that of a hummingbird’s.

I’m not alone in this dark.

I’ll never find my way out.

Something follows me. I hear it crawling over the floor behind me.

Nailsscratchon the concrete. Skin drags.

My foot slams into a mattress.

Before I can find my balance, I topple forward.

The bedding is wet and warm.

Someone bled here.

You, Trinity. That’s your blood.

I push away the voice as I struggle frantically to stand. The thing crawling after me starts panting. Desperate as I am.

Finally I get to my feet. I surge forward, running as fast as I can.

Straight into someone standing in the dark. Strong arms catch me before I can fall. They drag me close, and hold me tight.

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