‘No girl, cos you know it. You feel it.’ May nods at me from her seat. ‘White man’s logic won’t help you in there, only ya instinct. Follow it to ya twin and you’ll make it.’

‘Aunty, you can’t seriously be tellin her this,’ Sam yells. ‘What if she ends up dead – or worse?’

‘And what wouldn’t you do for your brothers, son?’ May looks at him till his gaze drops.

‘Well, I’m goin too!’ Rhi jumps in.

‘And me.’ Sam’s quiet reply has us all staring.

‘I thought you hated me.’ I frown.

‘Yeah, but I don’t want to see you dead and I don’t mind Laney.’ He shifts around on his feet while Rhi casts me a knowing glance. I roll my eyes at her.

‘Do what you want, but I’m goin.’ I spin on my heel and head for the car.

‘Hang on, Tace, I need to get Aunty back home first!’ Sam yells at the same time Rhi calls, ‘Let’s have a cuppa and hash out a plan. I don’t wanna get jumped again.’

But I need to move. I am terrified and if I don’t start now I might let it freeze me in place. The look May shot me said she knows what is waiting. I feel phantom claws brush my chin and shiver. If I think about it too much I might never go back.

‘Come on, Rhi, let’s go. Sam, you can follow us out there if you want, but I need to go. Now.’

Stepping out of the fire’s light I walk to the car and stand beside the passenger door, my back to them. Clenching and unclenching my fists, I fight my fear and my tears. I keep hearing Laney’s screams. I can’t leave her there any longer. A blade of grass tickles my ankle and I scratch it with my foot. When the tickling moves to both ankles, tightening a bit, I look down expecting to see grass, weeds or even fishing line caught around them.

Hands?

A wrench and I go flying backwards onto my arse. I barely choke out a sound as they yank me under the car. I try to hold on, but everything is torn from my grip. I try to kick, but they’re too strong. I’m being pulled out the other side of the car into the long grass.

‘Rhi!’

Yelling and running feet. Flashing light fading. Darkness and grass. Flying past. Rocks knocking out breath. Scraping. Still I’m struggling.

‘Sam!’

And he’s there. Grabbing my hands, pulling me. He holds on as the hands on my ankles tighten, hurting. I don’t look. I can’t look. Oh fuck. I stare at his face. His horror tells me everything. It feels like they’re pulling me in two.

‘Don’t let go,’ I beg.