Prologue
Ravenswood, 1995
Night descended upon Ravenswood like a shroud, casting long shadows across the small town. In a weathered cabin on the outskirts, eight-year-old Emily trembled beneath her blankets.
"Mommy, I saw something," Emily whispered, her voice barely audible.
Her mother's expression tightened, her eyes flicking toward the window. The wind whispered secrets through the trees, and the shadows seemed to twist and writhe.
"What did you see, sweetie?" her mother asked, her tone low and urgent.
Emily's eyes welled up with tears. "A shadow. It was watching us. It had eyes."