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PROLOGUE
The sunlight filtered through the dense canopy above, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor as Jessica continued along the unfamiliar path. Brutus, her loyal German Shepherd, eagerly sniffed at the undergrowth and led her deeper into the woods. She had never ventured this far before, but the excitement of discovery and the unwavering trust she had in her canine companion spurred her on.
"Alright, Brutus," she called out lightheartedly, "just a little further, then we'll head back."
Her words seemed to evaporate into the still air, leaving her with an uneasy feeling. As she trudged forward, the once-inviting foliage began to close in around her, stifling and oppressive. The musty scent of decomposing leaves filled her nostrils, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
"Okay, boy, that's enough for today," she said, her voice wavering slightly. "Let's turn back."
But as she tried to retrace her steps, the path seemed to twist and turn, leading her to unfamiliar sights – a gnarled tree trunk, a moss-covered boulder. Panic bubbled up within her chest, and her breath came in shallow gasps.
"Brutus, we need to find our way back now," she muttered, attempting to mask her growing fear. The dog looked up at her, his ears twitching, sensing her unease.
She fumbled for her phone, fingers trembling as she swiped through her apps, desperate for any sign of her location. But the device was unresponsive; the GPS was unable to locate her, and no signal bars graced the top corner of the screen.
"Come on, come on," she whispered urgently, her heart pounding in her ears. "Not now, please, not now."
As Jessica stared down at the useless piece of technology, her inner turmoil began to spiral.
Why did I let Brutus lead me so far? What if we don't find our way back?
Holding her phone above her head like a talisman, Jessica scanned the treetops, praying for even the slightest hint of a signal. The forest seemed to close in on her, branches reaching out like gnarled fingers, taunting her helplessness. A bead of sweat trickled down her temple as she strained her arm higher.
"Come on," she whispered to the phone, willing it to work. "Just one bar, please."
As if answering her desperate plea, a single line of reception flickered into existence. Relief washed over her.
"Brutus, stay close," she cautioned, her worry momentarily abated by the sliver of hope provided by the weak signal.
But before she could even attempt to use her newfound connection, Brutus's ears perked up, and his body tensed. A low growl rumbled in his throat, morphing into a fierce bark that echoed through the trees. His leash went taut as he pulled against her grip, his focus locked onto something just beyond her line of sight.
"Damn it, Brutus!" Jessica's heart raced, her brief moment of relief shattered by her dog's sudden aggression. "What is it? What's wrong?"
She tried to calm him, to no avail. Brutus continued barking, straining at his leash, nearly dragging her along with him.
"Okay, okay, I'm coming!" Jessica called out to Brutus as she stumbled through the underbrush, her heart pounding in her chest. The weak signal on her phone was all but forgotten as she focused on keeping up with her dog.
"Brutus, slow down!" she pleaded, her breath ragged and heavy. But the dog only pulled harder, barking incessantly.
As they rounded a bend, Jessica's foot caught on a gnarled tree root, and she nearly fell. Cursing under her breath, she righted herself and continued on, her anxiety mounting with each step.
"Brutus, what is it? Talk to me, boy," she muttered, wishing for just a moment that her faithful companion could communicate his thoughts.
Finally, Brutus came to an abrupt halt, his barks now replaced by a series of low, mournful whines. Jessica caught up to him, gasping for breath, and looked in the direction her dog seemed fixated on. The stench of rot hung heavily in the air, making it difficult to breathe.
A wave of nausea washed over her as her eyes landed on the horrifying sight before her.
A man's body lay crumpled at the base of an ancient oak tree, his features distorted and unrecognizable from decomposition.
Dead.
He was dead.
CHAPTER ONE
Fiona Red, entomologist and forensic analyst with the FBI, approached the looming prison gates, her heart pounding like a trapped moth against her ribcage. The late summer sun warmed her face, but an inexplicable chill ran down her spine as if she were standing in the shadow of a great predator. Was it just nerves, or did the universe also sense the monster within these walls?
Joslyn, I'm getting closer, Fiona thought to herself, a silent promise to the sister who had vanished ten years ago. She clenched her fists, drawing strength from the memory of their bond.
