“You threw a party and I wasn’t invited?” David asked, and his shoes made loud exploding sounds on the gravel walkway as he approached, not a crunch like with normal footsteps, but angry, heavy bangs like stomping on paper caps. He was a large, confident man. His anger had never been to make up for any physical inadequacy or insecurity. His anger didn’t need a reason so profound. He would get angry if Sydney didn’t wear what he wanted her to, without first telling her what he wanted. That was why she didn’t bring many clothes with her. She had so few pieces that she had actually picked out herself.

She tried to tell herself that maybe this wasn’t so bad, maybe he was worried or wanted to see his daughter. But she couldn’t fool herself. She wasn’t going back to him. And he wasn’t there to take her back. That left only one thing.

She had to protect Bay and Claire and everyone else there. The simple act of her coming back had placed them in a danger she never thought would follow her here. Or maybe the day she left ten years ago had caused this to happen, a series of events that led up to this one. Either way, this was all her fault.

“It’s all right, everyone. David and I will leave and talk,” she said. Then she whispered to Claire, “Take care of Bay.”

“No, no,” David said. As he got closer, Sydney felt her body jerk, like an electrical shock. Tears came to her eyes. Oh, God. He had a gun. Where did he get a gun? “Please don’t let me interrupt.”

“David, this doesn’t have anything to do with them. I’ll go with you. You know I will.”

“What in the hell is going on?” Tyler said when he noticed the gun. He gave an incredulous laugh. “Put that thing down, man.”

David steadied the gun on Tyler. “Is he the one you’re fucking, Cindy?”

She knew what Henry was going to do mere seconds before he did it. These people were so innocent. They had no idea what they were up against.

“Henry, don’t!” Sydney screamed as he lunged for David. A shot burst into the silence like thunder. Henry was suddenly very still. A stain of bright red started to grow over his shirt at his right shoulder.

Henry sank to his knees. After a few moments, he fell onto his back and stared up at the sky, blinking rapidly as if trying to wake up from a dream. Evanelle, as light and small as a leaf, floated over to him, unseen by David.