Page 78 of Salem's Fall
“Sorry, Miss, no personal calls after three p.m. Try again tomorrow during regular hours.”
“But it’s an emergency!” I clutch the phone tighter, desperation clawing up my throat. “Please, I’m begging you. It’s life or death!”
There’s silence, a beat too long, and then, “Hold on. I’ll see what I can do.”
I press my lips together, listening to the dead air for what feels like forever, and then I hear his voice.
“James?”
“Daddy,” I say, the ache in my chest making my voice crack.
“James, listen to me,” he says, his voice filled with urgency. “You shouldn’t be anywhere near Salem’s Fall tonight. I’ve been digging in more, researching things from over here. There’s something about today… about Halloween. It’s too dangerous?—”
“Yes, I know, it’s called Veil Night. But, Dad, I can’t leave.” I blink back the tears burning at the edges of my eyes. “It’s Maddie… she’s been taken. The Veil is going to sacrifice her!”
There’s a sharp intake of breath on the other end.
“They have Madison?Oh God, no…” His voice trembles, guilt spilling through every word. “This is all my fault. If only I hadn’t?—”
“Dad, stop!” I shout, fighting to keep my emotions under control. “That’s in the past. I need you right now. Please, there’s got to be something you can tell me that’ll help. We have to get her back!”
I can almost feel him through the phone, struggling with his own thoughts.
“One thing I know, don’t trust anyone connected to the Veil. They’ll do anything to keep their secrets. It doesn’t matter what they tell you, not even if you think they’re on your side,” he says, his voice raw. “Not even Damien Blackhollow—especially not him.”
“I figured that part out already, trust me,” I say through gritted teeth.
“There’s more,” he says, his tone shifting, uncertain, like he’s working through something in real time. “There’s something I missed about these rituals. A piece I still don’t understand…”
The line falls silent again, and I can almost hear his mind working. My dad’s always been good at puzzles, at piecing things together. It’s why he excelled at his IT job—finding hidden patterns, spotting errors in the code.
“The ritual… the knife wouldn’t take my life, but why did it take your mother? We were both willing to die for our family. So why her, not me?” His breath shakes as he swallows hard. “I missed something, James. There must be more to the ritual. Something we don’t yet know.” He pauses. “If they have Madison, it’s for a reason. But I don’t think it’s for what you fear. I don’t think it’s Madison they’re truly after…”
A static-like tension hums between us.
“I’m so sorry. I wish I was there with you—that I could do more.” His breath shudders through the line, his voice cracking. I can feel his guilt like a weight in the air between us. “If I could take it all back, I would. I’m a terrible father, but please know, I only ever wanted what was best for our family.”
“Dad”—my voice shakes—“I forgive you, okay? I need you to know that.”
“I don’t deserve it, but thank you, James,” he says. “I love you.”
The call ends, leaving only silence and the cold weight of our conversation settling over me. A chill snakes down my spine as I put the car in park and look up.
I’ve arrived at Strega’s Hollow.
Strega’s Hollow looms ahead, ancient and ominous. Skeletal trees claw at the sky like twisted hands, and shadows stretch across the mist-cloaked ground. The air feels thicker here, charged with a malevolent energy that prickles across my skin.
The once-popular tourist attraction is deserted. Even the chilly fall breeze has stilled, and with it, any sense of normalcy. It feels like the Hollow is holding its breath, like I’ve stepped into another universe where dark things lurk in the shadows, waiting to consume anyone foolish enough to enter. A shiver of apprehension runs through me, but I can’t turn back now. Not when Maddie’s running out of time.
My fingers tremble as I pull out my phone, sending a final message to the two people who will take it the hardest if I don’t make it out of this.
To Quinn, I write:
I don’t know if I’ll make it through tonight. Please, if anything happens to me, make them PAY. And know I care about you too. So much.
And to Katie, a softer message:
I love you, Katie. If I don’t make it back to Boston and Maddie does, please be there for her and Lucky too. Take care of them for me.
