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CHAPTER 1
Mount Hood, Oregon
Twenty Years Earlier
Creeeaaak!
Kara’s eyes flew open.
What was that?
She squinted into the darkness.
“Don’t say a word.”
She started to scream.
But a hand came down over her mouth.
Hard.
“Shhh!”
Marlie? Her sister was holding her down, forcing her head back against the pillows?
She started to struggle.
“Stop it! Just listen and don’t say anything!” The warning was whispered against her ear. Hot breath against her skin. “Listen to me.” Her voice was urgent. This was no joke, not the kind of prank Kara had grown up with due to the antics of three older brothers. “Handfuls,” her mother called them. “Delinquents,” her father had said.
Now, though, it was just Marlie, and she was freaked. “Just do what I say,” Marlie warned. “No questions. No arguments. This is serious, Kara-Bear, so don’t make a sound.”
Why?
As if she read Kara’s mind, Marlie said, “I can’t explain now, just trust me. You’re a smart girl. That’s what all the teachers say, right? That you’re way ahead of kids your age? So just do as I say, okay? Now, come on.”
Kara shook her head, her hair rustling against her pillow, her eyes adjusting to the thin light. Whatever had scared Marlie so much could be handled. Mama would know what to do.
“You can’t make any noise, okay? Got that?”
Marlie lifted her hand and Kara couldn’t help herself. “What’s—?” she started to whisper and Marlie’s hand returned. Firmer. Pressing Kara back against the sheets.
“Just listen to me!” Marlie insisted through clenched teeth. Her sharp, desperate plea stopped Kara cold. Though Mama, at times, had accused the older girl of being a “drama queen,” this time was different. Marlie was different. Scared to death.
Kara sensed it. She lay still.
“You have to hide. Now.”
Hide?
“Right now.Do you understand?”
Wide-eyed, Kara nodded.
“And it can’t be here.” Marlie started to take her hand away from Kara’s face.
“Why? Where’s Mama . . . ?” Kara said in a whispered rush. She couldn’t help herself.
“Shit! Stop! Kara,please!” Marlie’s hand was over her younger sister’s mouth again. Harder. Forcing Kara’s head back into her pillow. “No questions! They’ll hear you!”
