Page 47 of Dollface

As everyone poured from the cabin into the rain, I stuffed my hands into the pockets of his jacket and gasped at what I felt.

Oh my God.

ELEVEN

SABBATH

“Foster.”My younger brother rotated in his bunk to face me. He looked so sleepy and peaceful. It made me sick seeing the comforts he was granted while I never had them myself.

“Sabbath.” He yawned. “Is it raining?”

I nodded. “It’s time.”

The boy’s face lit up, and he instantly jumped from the bunk. “Is it really?” He was so eager. And I felt so guilty. “Did mother send you to collect me?” I nodded again. “Oh, she must be so excited!” He wobbled over to his luggage and opened the small suitcase. Inside were his sacred robes and a small plague doctor mask. “This is my father’s first hunt too, isn’t it?” I nearly laughed at the mention of his father. “What’s so funny?” His smile fell.

I cleared my throat. “Nothing. I’m sorry.” Foster shot me a death glare, but I ignored it. “Do you have everything you need?” The boy nodded eagerly, completely forgetting what just happened. “Good. Get dressed. Mother is waiting.” Foster did as I asked.

My eyes moved around the quiet and dark cabin. The campers were all asleep, completely unaware of what was about to happen. At least they were safe.

Foster tugged at the sleeve of my leather jacket. I glanced down at him and grew sick at what I saw. He was wearing his black ritual robes and covered head to toe in darkness. The mask and hat were a little too big for him, but he looked the part he was meant to play. The part I should be playing. I hated myself for straying so far that he was bred and created with the sole purpose of fulfilling our mother’s need to birth evil into this world. Unlike Ozzy, he didn’t stand a chance of ever escaping his fate.

“Sabbath? Where’s your mask?”

I didn’t answer but instead offered my hand to him and he took it. Together, we walked to the cabin door and stepped out into the storm in the direction of the woods.

I’m already wearing mine.

TWELVE

ASTER

The trekfrom the administrative building to the cafeteria was insane. We had to follow a less frequented path that none of us were really accustomed to using. Willie struggled a few times with squeezing himself and Doug through the gaps within the tall grass and lingering limbs. The rest of us had more trouble simply trying to move our feet through the deep puddles and thick mud. We had to help one another the whole way.

“There!” Kaila shouted and aimed her flashlight ahead. “I see it!”

The group groaned and sighed in relief. We’d been stuck out here for what felt like forever, and the storm showed no sign of letting up. I couldn’t wait to get inside the cafeteria. Not because I wanted out of the rain, but because I needed to tell everyone what I found. I needed to show them.

“Come on!” Willie shouted. “We’re almost there! Everyone, let’s go!”

We all pushed ourselves forward. The cafeteria cabin was large and looked dead inside from where we were. As lightning flashed above, you could almost catch a glimpse of the campers’ faces inside.

Kaila ran ahead with Sandy and the two held the cafeteria doors open for us. We all piled in as fast as we could. It wasn’t until we were inside the cafeteria that I realized just how drenched and dirty we really were. The campers were petrified by our appearances and the bloodied bandages around Doug’s leg. It didn’t help that he was groaning and in pain. A few of the girls cried and became unsettled. Kaila and Sandy jumped into action and instantly tried to console them.

Beatrice, the older woman who worked the kitchen, appeared from the back of the cabin with a lantern and made her way towards Willie. “Not in here!” She quickly ushered the rest of us into the kitchen. The cafeteria had a few candles and lanterns lit around the room, but the kitchen had none. Beatrice motioned to Willie, and he carefully sat Doug down in a chair. He then grabbed a nearby box and slid it under Doug’s injured leg. “What happened?” she asked.

“Some psycho in a mask attacked me!” Doug shouted.

Willie shushed him with a furrowed brow. “Shut the fuck up, Doug!” We all flinched at his anger. “There are children out there! I don’t care if you are bleeding out or dying, you keep your mouth shut!”

Wolfe made a face. “That’s a little harsh, Willie.”

“Yeah?” Willie scoffed and wiped his forehead. “Okay. Let him scream. Let him talk about this nonsense! And when morning comes, the power returns, and those kids call home, you can be the one to explain to them that there actually isn’t a forest full of psycho killers coming to kill them. You can handle that!” Wolfe’s eyes lowered in defeat. “That’s what I thought.” He huffed and turned to Beatrice. “Any sign of Solomon or the rest of the campers?” She shook her head. “Alright. I’ll go look for them.” He faced us. “You guys get Doug situated and then try to get the campers settled. I shouldn't take long.” Willie stepped out from the kitchen.

Beatrice eyed the rest of us closely. She made a face at Doug and then walked over to the freezer before returning. “Here.” She chucked a small bag of frozen peas onto his leg. Doug nearly sobbed and I swear I saw her smile. “The cold will slow the bleeding. Now, I’m going to go check on something.” Beatrice stepped out from the kitchen and walked away.

“I think she likes me.” Doug snorted while he adjusted the bag of frozen peas. Rodney shook his head and rolled his eyes as the two chatted. I’m not sure how Doug would behave if Rodney wasn’t here. He just always seemed to know how to handle him and help keep his emotions in check.

I motioned to Wolfe, and he joined me. I leaned in close and whispered to him, “I don’t think we can trust Willie.” He made a face. “I could be wrong, but something is off about him.”

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