“Then you moved in, Mr Abernathy. I recognised you immediately, even if others did not. We’ve spoken, actually. Twice. I wore different faces each time, so you probably don’t remember me.”

“I meet a lot of people,” Virgil said carefully.

“Of course,” said Moreno, “of course you do. I knew you wouldn’t remember me. I didn’t have a personality back then. I do now. I realised I needed a face to build it around, a face to keep, as my own. Desolation Hill already had its Shroud – so now it needed Ernesto Insidio. It was with this face that I married, that I bought the hardware store, that I assimilated into this town. Mayor Jesper helped, of course, but it was this face that made it all possible.”

“That’s it?” Javier said, frowning. “That’s all?”

Moreno looked concerned. “You were hoping for something else, weren’t you? Something … more meaningful. Oh, I’m sorry. Now I feel bad.”

“That’s okay,” said Virgil. “We got what we came for. Now we know. We better get back.”

Moreno stepped into their path, wearing a look of deep, deep regret. “I can’t allow you to do that, I’m afraid.”

Virgil’s knees began to actually tremble. “So what are you going to do? Kill us? Kill the Shroud and Insidio? Do you really want to do that? Could you live with yourself?”

“You flatter me,” said Moreno.

“I’m sorry?”

“My performance must really be convincing if you believe I am capable of either remorse or empathy.”

Virgil swallowed. “Then … then take us instead.”

“I’m sorry?”

“They took Austin from you. Do you have another kid? If you do, for God’s sake, release him. Let him live. We’re old. If you’re going to kill us, please, give our deaths meaning. Let the kid go.”

“You would do that?” Moreno asked. “You, too, Mr Santorum? You would replace the child as a sacrifice?”

“Well, I … If you only need one of us, I suggest taking him. But if you need both … yeah, I guess.”

Moreno made a surprised sound, deep in his throat. “Very well. And maybe the fact that there are two of you will make up for your advanced age. Quantity over quality, as it were. I accept your proposal. Mr Abernathy, the cellar door is unlocked.”

“Here?” said Virgil. “This cellar?”

“I always move the sacrifice into my own house a few hours before they’re due to die, just in case anything goes wrong. They can scream all they want – no one will hear. If you please …”

Virgil hesitated, but he could see no alternative than to just do what he was told. He gripped both handles and pulled, revealing the steps leading down. He went first and Javier followed, and lights flickered on. Moreno came last, closing the doors behind him.