d that vibrated up through the

ason jars for canning, the late afterno

rt

ck, trying to clear that ove

art of an old quarry, a place folks said

back! Don't c

, sharp with a fear Elen

e jar. It shatte

back door, her

ne foot planted awkwardly on a mound

stepped on something,

ng caps. The stories

e beginning of

Hoskins, lived just down the road. He

crackled over her cell a moment

ned, her v

e a muscle. You need to call Jack. He

Her hu

e washed o

from a life she' d already

er waist, while his mother lay dying because

Elena hysteri

said, her voice flat. "He's

is serious.

cut in. "He st

usy with Brenda, too annoyed by Elena' s panic. His mother, Martha, had died because of

e knew better

memories, they were

hen he wanted to be. An ex-Army

a user. His life-saving skills

their small Appalachian town. Brenda, flashy and

r, was the only real

nts. They' d died saving Martha and a young, terrified Jack from the fla

is neglect of Elena. She saw Bre

try," Bill urged,

ge calm settling over her. This time, things would b