Prologue
"You can't run forever," the voice echoed in my ears as I hurried through the dense, moonlit forest. My breath came in ragged gasps as I desperately tried to escape.
~~~~~****~~~~~
It was senior year, my last year of high school, and the senior campfire was the theme for this year's graduation. As someone who preferred the comfort of my own home, I felt pressured into attending.
"Come on, it's all about making memories," Ivy urged, trying to persuade me.
"We could make plenty of memories indoors," I countered, hoping to avoid going. "My parents will be out for the night. We could watch our favorite episode of Cow Barn Girls and order ridiculous items on eBay. I heard a new web novel, 'Blood Moon,' is being released tonight."
"No way! We're going," Pete chimed in. "Kelvin will be there. The Kelvin," he emphasized as if his name held some kind of mystical power.
"This is the start of my social life," Ivy reminded us.
"I thought your social life ended after Cole dumped you," Pete jeered, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.
"Very funny, Pete. I'm over Cole, he's toxic. And right now, I don't need that kind of energy," Ivy defended herself, though we could see the doubt in her eyes.
"So we're going?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, baby girl, we are. Who knows, maybe tonight's the night you finally get lucky," Pete teased, his hand playfully tousling my curls.
"Jesus, Pete. My father would flip if he heard you talking like that. He's already questioning our friendship, so please don't make it worse," I pleaded, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
"Relax, babe. Even pastors get laid. How do you think you were born?" he joked, eliciting a disgusted reaction from Ivy.
"Ugh, Pete. No, just no," Ivy groaned.
"Fine, fine. You guys are such wimps," Pete conceded, though we could tell he was secretly looking forward to the adventure.
~~~~***~~~~
"Do you think we're going in the right direction?" Ivy questioned, her tone filled with doubt.
"For the tenth time, Ivy, I'm pretty sure this is the right way," he snapped back, his annoyance evident in his voice.
"Guys," I called out, my gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside Pete's cousin's car, which we had borrowed for the night.
"For heaven's sake, Keisha, what?" Pete groaned.
I pointed at the signpost ahead. "This is the third time we've passed this signpost," I replied.
"I told you we're lost," Ivy chimed in, pulling out her phone.
"What on earth are you doing?" Pete asked, glancing at Ivy through the rearview mirror.
"I'm calling Tracy," she stated, holding up her phone. "I don't plan on being stranded on this deserted road with you guys."
Pete and I rolled our eyes in unison as Ivy continued to complain. She had earned the nickname "drama queen" from Pete and her former drama crew in school, and it suited her perfectly.
"Tracy will be here in thirty minutes, so just stay calm, everyone," Ivy announced.
"No one is panicking, Ivy," I reminded her, my eyes briefly scanning my phone.
"Except for Miss Queen Bee over here," Pete teased. "Honestly, Ivy, I don't think you would survive a day in the woods."
"Duh, Campmoon Lite," Ivy retorted.
"Isn't that the summer camp you attended all summer?" I asked, trying to jog my memory.
"Yeah, Keisha, it was the summer camp where she had a fling with Justin," Pete reminded us.
"You never actually told us what happened," I curiously inquired.
"Oh, sweetheart, she came back with a black eye," Pete taunted, bursting into laughter.
"Thanks for the explicit details, Pete. Well, Keisha, it didn't go as planned, but at least I'm not a virgin," Ivy shot back, and we all fell into an uneasy silence.
"Seriously, that was a low blow, even for you, Ivy," Pete retorted, his gaze now on me.
The atmosphere in the car shifted, and we all settled back down, waiting patiently for Tracy. Growing up in a religious household had its ups and downs; constantly living up to my father's expectations and teachings had become a daily struggle.
I was expected to be perfect, to maintain my father's reputation and the reputation of our household. Sometimes, it was exhausting pretending to be someone I wasn't.
We were all fixated on the approaching car, and a surge of fear began to grip me.
"Hey, bitches!" Tracy's head popped out of the car, calling out to us.
"What took you guys so long?" Ivy asked, excitement evident on her face.
"I think we may have gotten a bit lost," Daniel answered from the driver's seat, his excitement contagious.
"Come on, let's go!" Tracy yelled impatiently.
"No way, I'm not leaving this truck out here. It's more important than my life," Pete declared.
"Fine," Tracy finally agreed. "Who's riding with us?"
"I am!" Ivy exclaimed, quickly leaving Pete's cousin's truck and heading toward Tracy's sleek car.
I could feel Tracy's gaze on me, but she quickly looked away.