The Blood Moon Pact

all town. Anne and Sarah sat in the cramped living room of Sarah's apart

t happened back there. That... thing... whatever it was,

with each shake. "You think I don't know that? I've been living in a nightmare for days now. Caleb isn't Caleb

be a reason this is happening to you. Maybe someone in town

ed at me. It's like he's... possessed or something.

loud knock at the door cut her off. Both

ting someone?"

head. "No one kn

der this time, followed b

nn

pped. She recogn

pered, backing aw

trembling. "It's not

e insistent. "Anne, open

? Had he somehow escaped whatever had taken

aid, her voice firm despite t

near the lock. "What if it's really

ed the door, maki

Anne. You can'

. "It's not Caleb! Don't you get it? Whateve

violent, the wood spli

en counter, her knuckles white as sh

way out. The windows were too small to climb throu

ng against the wall. Caleb stood in the doorway, h

and his black eyes glowed faintly in the dim light. The symbols o

distorted echo of her brother

of Anne, brandishing

ips curling into a chilling

the room writhed and shot toward her like living tendrils. The

his other hand, and Anne froze in place. Her body refused

closer to her. "But the time for running is over. The b

she spoke. "What role?

u're the key, Anne. The vessel. When the blood moon r

hed. "Him? Who are

s voice wasn't his own. It was deeper, more

ncient

e walls like living creatures. The temperature plum

wy tendrils, her screams muffled

nne shouted, he

marks on her wrist. He reached out, his

t through her arm. The symbols glowed brighte

reverberating through the room. "The pac

nd raced, searching for a way to break free. Then she reme

ct can be broke

e forced herself to speak. "If I'm th

darkening. "You don't know

in her eyes despite the pain. "May

tendrils holding Sarah weakened. Sarah took the opportunity to grab

houted, her v

into action. She bolted toward the door, glancing back

ne screa

rm, the glowing symbols burning against his skin. He r

ment, Anne thought she might have won. But the

oming, Anne. The blood m

dly red light seeped through the gaps. Anne's stomac

assive clawed hand reached out

ng itself closer to the surface. Caleb's laughter f

ate, Anne.

ave way was the blood moon rising high abo