Andrew said, “That thing is undeniably real when we all know it shouldn’t be. I don’t think we’re in any position to say something is out of the realm of possibility.”

Ryker lurched up the stairs to touch his sister. He didn’t make it all the way, sprawling across the porch, the tips of his fingers brushing against her hair.

“I would never hurt you,” he whispered, his tears falling into the angry red gashes in his face.

Andrew held on to Ryker’s back as it heaved with deep, heartbreaking sobs. “She knows that. She loves you more than you can ever know.”

“I wanted to save her. All of us. I didn’t know. I didn’t know.”

Andrew knew there was nothing he could say to console him. Nikki melded herself on top of him like a tortoise shell, murmuring softly in his ear.

He needed to get Kate inside. If she was going to die, he wouldn’t allow it to happen on a dirty porch. He took a quick glance at the creature and saw it was still down. In fact, it had collapsed onto its side, its ghastly face angled toward them, eyes half-closed and staring at Kate.

Andrew shivered at the thought that Kate and the monstrosity were somehow bonded to one another. The how and why would have to wait.

“We have to get the hell out of here,” Ryker said, his voice thready and weak. “While it’s down, we have to go. This could be our only chance. We have to go, now!”

The odds of them getting far with Ryker and Kate in their conditions were slim to less than none. If Andrew could have one wish, it would be for a helicopter to land on the back lawn, armed guards escorting them inside with doctors in wait.

That helicopter wasn’t coming, and they weren’t going to be able to simply make a run for it. He stormed into the living room. The thing, so far, wouldn’t come into the house. It was the only safe place for them for miles.

The mattress was on its side, resting against the upturned bedframe. He laid it back down on the floor and found a sheet and the pillows scattered about the room.

As he stepped back onto the porch to lift Kate, his eyes flicked toward the yard and his throat closed up.

The monster was gone!

“Nikki, we have to get them inside now.”

She looked up, her eyes red and puffy. Ryker reached out for Kate as Andrew slipped his arms under her and hoisted her up. His face had gotten worse, more stitches giving way, the meat on his skull turning odd colors. Yet he was still alive, desperate to be near Kate, grunting with the effort to get up and follow them into the house.