Page 58 of Lie in Wait

More people called out. Voices sounded from all over the room, turning into a chant. One by one, people raised their fingers to point at her. The candles gave them all eerie shadows.

It was the creepiest thing she’d ever seen or heard, and she’d seen every Halloween movie ever made.

Her breath hitched. Sneaking over to Bella was out of the question now.

That left only one option. She had to race over and attempt to free her from Neil’s grasp. That would be no easy task. But it was all she had.

Hopefully nobody else had any weapons.

She raced toward them, stumbling over the uneven carpeting.

Bella looked her way. Called out her name.

Something struck Ariana on the side of the head. Her ears rang, and dots danced in front of her. She turned to see what had hit her. A rusty candle stand rolled away from her. Someone must’ve thrown it.

No time to stop. Must keep running.

Had to get to Bella.

People continued chanting. More objects flew through the air. Flickering candlelight cast elongated shadows everywhere.

Far scarier than anything she’d ever watched on the screen.

She ducked, avoiding objects flying toward her. Nearly missed a lit candle. It crashed against the wall then rolled to the floor, the flame licking the carpet until it stopped at a pew.

Ariana picked it up and held the candle so the flame brushed each seat she passed.

Bang!

The chanting stopped.

Ari froze mid-step.

Neil aimed the gun at her. “Not another step, devil worshiper!”

She did as instructed.

The lunatic continued his rant.

She didn’t pay attention. Needed to find a way of escape.

Then she saw it. The perfect answer.

ChapterThirty

Bella stared in disbelief as Ariana disappeared. No, she didn’t disappear. She fell to the ground near the pews.

“Stop struggling.” Neil tightened his grip around her arm, digging his nails into her flesh.

People cried out. Some pointed in Ari’s direction. A few darted her way while others scrambled in the opposite direction, probably scared she was actually devil worshiper like Neil had said.

Everyone here seemed to believe every word from his mouth.

She probably would have too, if she hadn’t managed to get away and gain some clarity. Now that she’d spent time away from the cult, it was glaringly obvious how messed up everything was. She’d always had an inkling that things weren’t right, but it had been all she knew her entire life. There hadn’t been anything else to compare it to before.

Now she knew better. And she needed to get away. Get a chance to live her life without the influence of all this insanity.

She glanced around, searching for Ariana. Others still ran about, amplifying the chaos.

---