He gives me a funny look as he reaches into his pocket and hands me his knife, a small one, with a grinded blade. “If you’re thinking of being a hero, don’t,” he says. “You’re not as strong as you used to be.”

Strong or not, I know what I have to do. Because I promised I’d take care of her. I take off, knowing if I don’t move fast enough, he’ll catch me.

“Kayla,” Aiden yells on cue. I hear his footsteps thundering after me, but I keep going, up the hill and jump into the cave. I shove the rock in front of the entrance and lock him out. He bangs on the other side and I know he’ll make it through very soon, so I hurry.

My ears go on alert, the knife poised out as I tiptoe my way down the tunnel and down into the main room.  It’s dark as death, crates tipped over, food skewed all over the place. It looks like someone was searching for something, but gave up and just broke everything instead.

I move downstairs, checking underneath the stairwell and in the corners of the room.  Then I spot the knife I gave Maci, the silver blade stained red with blood.

“What happened in here?” I say, picking up the knife. A soft pulse thuds in my ears and boost my hopes that someone has survived. I pad lightly up the stairs, following the sound into the room I was once chained in, only now the chains are empty and most of the lanterns are shattered.

“Hello,” I call softly. The heart jumps. “Who’s in here?”

From the blankness of the corner, a small figure crawls out. “Kayla.” Maci blinks and then runs to me, throwing her arms around my waist.

I pat the red-headed little girl on the head.  “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”

She tilts her head up to me. “I know it is.”

Of course she does. “What happened?”

She rubs her eyes and steps back. “They came for you.”

“Who came for me?”

Her eyes widen and her pulse lurches with fear as she utters the words, “The Highers.”

The severity of the situation unexpectedly takes a turn for the worse.  “Are they still here?” I turn, stabbing my knife in front of me.

“No, they’re gone,” she says. “They left when morning came.”

I’m starting to panic. “We need to get out of here.”

With no hesitation, we creep out the room. I glance from my left to my right, making sure it’s clear, then grab Maci’s hand and pull her along as I sprint down the tunnel and for the stairs. But a crash, from the bottom room somewhere, sends me to a slamming stop. I move slowly, peeking over the railing. It’s a vampire, digging through the wrecked crates and spilled food.