The gate was locked, but I pushed it open enough to squeeze through. Dropping to my hands and knees, I crawled inside. The cemetery sprawled before me, coming to terrifying life. It must be in an augmented dome. The trees swayed as if in a storm, the wind howling through them. Statues turned to face me as I hurried down the path, and I broke into a run. My skin crawled as I ran past winged angels reaching for me from graves with headstones rubbed smooth. Apparitions soared to the full, yellow moon, and fingers ruptured the ground, grabbing at my ankles. It’s not real, it’s not real… My heart in my throat, I ran faster, the ghosts and specters a blur.

Exiting the cemetery as quickly as I could, I ran straight to the hotel. I stumbled down the hall until I found Crystal’s room and banged on the door.

“Oh, thank God, you’re back,” she said, embracing me the moment she saw me. She was still wearing her voodoo makeup from set. “I was so worried.”

I rested my head on her shoulder, catching my breath.

“Is everything okay?”

“It’s Adam…and Deena. They were playing me.” I squeezed my eyes shut. “I was stupid to believe any of it was real.”

She held me as tears rolled down my cheeks. I can’t believe I was so wrong about him.

“I’m sorry, love.” She patted my hair. “Let’s get you to your room, dry those eyes. A hot bath will help.”

I nodded and let her lead me down the hall.

When we arrived at my door, I stopped abruptly. “Wait.” I threw up my hand to halt her. “Something isn’t right.” I studied the lock, a shot of adrenaline clearing my sinuses. Everything looked normal, but I had a weird hunch. “Someone might be inside.”

“Why do you think that?” Crystal asked. “Your lock is biometric—only your fingerprints can open it. A lock, like I have, would be easy to pick, but breaking into your room would require a full set of your fingerprints…”

“There’s only one way to find out.” Placing my hand on the sensor, I waited until the light blinked green and the deadbolt clunked open.

I opened the door to find my room had been ransacked. Light from the massive moon outside the window spotlighted the disaster: clothes everywhere, makeup bottles spilled on the floor, empty drawers gaping.

A fresh wave of dizziness washed over me.

“How did you know?” she whispered.

“I don’t know. I just…felt it. It was like there was an impression left in the air, heat…energy. I can’t explain it.”

“Interesting.” She studied me as we stepped inside. “Is anything missing?”

I went straight to my bed, shaking out the covers. “My sleep sheep,” I whispered. “It had my Book of Secrets inside.”

“What’s a Book of Secrets?”

“My journal…”