Andrew carried Kate to the bed, gently laying her down. Twigs and leaves were caught up in her clothes, falling onto the sheets. Kate’s flesh was hot and clammy, a pungent, oaty smell coming off her in waves. He realized she’d peed herself and quickly covered her up so Ryker and Nikki couldn’t see the triangle of wetness.

Grabbing the washcloth, he dabbed the perspiration from her face. She was out, but her brows were knit as if she were concentrating or angry.

“Kate? Come on, little crip, come back to me.”

Her breathing was steady, but he was very concerned about the fever that had come roaring back.

He heard Nikki say to Ryker, “What happened to her?”

“I don’t know. She screamed and Andy found her passed out.”

Andrew whispered her name over and over, hoping the sound of his voice would be a beacon, luring her back to them. While he did that, he checked her head for lumps, plucking detritus of the woods from her hair and tossing it onto the floor.

“Did you find the dog?” Nikki asked.

“No. He’s still out there.”

Andrew hadn’t heard Buttons barking, but he also hadn’t been listening for the pooch since he found Kate passed out.

“Kate, honey, if you can hear me, please wake up,” he said softly by her ear. He kept squeezing her hand, hoping for her to clutch him back.

Nikki and Ryker lingered behind him.

“Come on, sis, this is no time to take a nap.”

“Katy, sweetie, please wake up.”

Kate took a deep, ragged breath. Her mouth pulled tight and her eyes flashed open. She looked absolutely terrified.

Struggling to get out from under the sheet and Andrew’s grasp, she twisted around in the bed.

“Oh my God! Close the door! You have to close the door! Andrew, Ryker, close the fucking door!”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Kate had never been so scared in her life.

She’d also never seen anything like the creature outside the cottage.

Andrew tried to hold her down, but she had to get out of the bed. Her nerves were too frazzled.

“Please, Andrew, let me up.”

“Kate, you were just unconscious a few seconds ago.”

Ryker had slammed the door and locked it.

It wouldn’t be enough.

Pushing Andrew away, she got to her feet, the interior of the cottage going hazy for a moment. She felt the wetness at her crotch but didn’t care. She parted the blinds over the sliding doors and peered into the darkness.

It was out there.

If it wanted to come in, glass doors and meager locks wouldn’t stop it.

Shivering so hard her teeth clacked painfully, Kate wrapped her arms around herself. A sliver of fiery pain flared in her back, bending her over. She caught her breath, wishing the microwave feels away.