I look away from Gilbert, unable to face the fact that he is going to die. But he knows. He knows what this moment is, and he knows that I have already seen it. He looks at me and lowers his head until I’m forced to meet his gaze.

“This is what you saw, isn’t it? When you stopped the SUV?”

I swallow hard and nod.

“I don’t know if you can change what you see,” he says, “but I don’t want you to regardless.”

I want to tell him that I can change it…but Ethan. I have to save Ethan now. 

“Sorry I’ve been such a jerk to you all,” Gilbert says. “It’s not who I really am.” He takes a deep breath. “This is who I really am.”

He takes a step back and starts running toward the other side of the warehouse. His screams echo off the walls and the gun blasts are deafening. The groans of the greyskins sound like a thousand wolves growling and howling at the same time.

Gabe runs to a nearby window and looks out. “Wait for them to clear at the south entrance.”

I feel numb as Gilbert’s screams change from a simple distraction to cries of pain. Then…silence.

Gabe leads us through the exit and toward the SUV. Some greyskins give chase, but they never make it to us before we tear out of the warehouse parking lot. As we ride down the road, we are silent. No doubt, Gabe and Ethan are thinking about Gilbert. Though I had seen it happen days ago, I would have never expected it of him.

I don’t know where we’re going. I don’t know the plan ahead. I’m just glad that Scarecrow is gone. I feel for the chain and ring at my chest, and I quickly remember that it is gone forever.

Just as well, I think, though I feel empty. It's like saying goodbye all over again. I will miss Lucas forever, but I cannot hold on to him. I lean my head against Ethan’s shoulder as we ride in the back of the SUV. Silent tears crawl down my cheek and neck. I have seen how Ethan is supposed to die, but now I know that I can change it. Yet it's a puzzle that will not be easily solved. I didn't see a shooter. I didn't even see where he was. But I will figure it out. I must figure it out.

“Where are we going?” I ask Gabe.

“I think we need to find the girl that was banished from Crestwood before you were,” he says. “This Shadowface person seems to be a bigger deal than I originally thought.”

“What’s the girl’s name?” Ethan asks.

“Remi,” Gabe says. He looks at me through the rearview mirror. “She’s from Oakridge like you.”