“Last I heard, you were headed back to your boarding school.”
He kisses my neck. “Boarding schools aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.”
“Your rock-skipping will suffer.”
“My fencing, too.”
“Risky business,” I say breathlessly. “You never know when you’ll find yourself in a sword fight.”
“Yes, well.” His lips travel to the spot where my mark once was, but is no longer. Like the rift, not even a trace remains. “Who needs swords when you’re part angel?”
Foggy Hollow Police Department Press Briefing
Saturday, November 1, 2025 – 6:42 p.m. EST
CHIEF DOUGLAS PERRY:We can confirm that two students from Foggy Hollow High School—Lainey Sikes and Ivy Winslow—were reported missing early this morning, following an unsanctioned Halloween gathering at the town cemetery on Friday night. We take these reports very seriously and are doing everything in our power to locate both girls and bring them home safely.
At this time, there is no confirmed evidence of foul play. However, we are treating this as an active investigation. Search and rescue operations began this afternoon and will continue through the coming days with assistance from county authorities and local volunteers.
We are also monitoring the condition of Callie Reese, who sustained serious injuries at the same gathering. Our thoughts are with her and her family during this difficult time.
We urge anyone who was present at the cemetery on Halloween night to come forward, even if you think what you saw wasn’t important. We are also reviewing security footage from local businesses and traffic cameras.
If you have any information that could aid our investigation, please call the Foggy Hollow tip line.
We ask the community for patience and cooperation. We know this is a frightening time, especially for the families involved. I assure you, we are doing everything we can.
58
STILL MISSING
Sunday morning, Dad and I go to St. Oswald’s with the Calloways, including a very sore but very alive Twig. It’s a somber service, with many prayers said for Callie Reese, in critical condition at Ruby Memorial in Morgantown. Along with Ivy Winslow and Lainey Sikes, who are still missing.
I take Twig’s hand.
He holds on tight, his palm clammy.
Search parties are being organized.
Congregants are encouraged to help.
The Calloways join the effort.
Dad does, too.
Twig can’t, given the state of his foot, which gives me an excuse to stay back and keep him company. I can’t stomach the idea of canvasing the woods for two girls I know aren’t there. We decide to watch a movie. We bypass our typical 1980sparanormal fare and settle onThe Princess Brideinstead. We watch it on repeat with the lights low, the popcorn Mrs. Calloway made untouched between us.
Mrs. Calloway and Kate return from the search around five.
Harrison picks up Kate shortly after.
Mrs. Calloway cooks in the kitchen, the smell of onion and thyme drifting down the hall. A couple hours later, Mr. Calloway and Dad return. They tuck into heaping bowls of homemade stew. Twig and I eavesdrop from his bedroom, our ears perked as spoons clatter. They speak in dulcet tones.
“They brought in bloodhounds,” Dad says. “They caught a scent, then lost it completely in the back part of the cemetery.”
Twig and I exchange a look.
“I spoke with Benny McCoy,” Mr. Calloway says. “His sister, Elena, is on the force. She said they found some interesting gear in the area.”
