Ignoring the screams of the offerings inside the wicker man, he opened the gasoline and poured it around the structure. He pulled a box of matches from his pocket.

Life had come full circle.

Mandy stopped where the meadow ended and looked up at the abandoned farm. A sagging barn sat next to a crumbling ruin of a house. In the barnyard, a few camp lanterns cast shadowy light over the yard. A figure moved around a tall structure erected in the center. A tractor was parked behind it.

Was that Nathan?

She swung her rifle into her arms. Whoever it was tipped a container toward the ground. Damn. She couldn’t see well enough to identify the figure, let alone get off a clear shot.

She moved forward. Details clarified as she approached. Her spine buzzed with alarm. The structure was a giant cage filled with people. A crude head and arms gave it a primitive human appearance. Inside, people screamed. Mandy’s gaze riveted upon her brother, locked in the third level. Caged, trapped, like a steer waiting for the slaughterhouse. Terror widened his eyes.

She slid to a halt.

Nathan stepped into a circle of light, but she barely recognized him. His formerly Hollywood-perfect blond hair was long and scraggly. He wore khakis and a polo shirt so filthy the original colors weren’t discernible. Dark streaks across his clothing looked fresh and wet. His jacket was torn. Something lay behind him. No, not something. Someone. A woman in a skirt and heels. Her face was turned away, but dark splotches stained the dirt around her head.

Oh, my God. It was Carolyn.

What was she doing here?

Panic whirled in Mandy’s chest; her breaths shortened.

The smell of gasoline burned her nostrils.

Glancing back at the structure, she took in the carefully layered brush, the gas cans, the cages built entirely of wood. Nathan was going to set them on fire. Human sacrifice by immolation.

The horror of his intention skidded through her belly.

Nathan stood next to the statue. He held a gas can in front of his chest. Thank God she hadn’t shot at him. The whole thing might have blown up.

“I knew you’d come.” A maniacal smile lit his face. “It was meant to be.”

“What was meant to be, Nathan?” she asked, in as calm a voice as she could manage. Stall. Give Danny time to figure out what to do.

“Us. Forever.”

“I’m here for you.” She’d say anything to keep him from lighting that fire. Hell, she’d do anything to save those people.

“After this is over, we can be together. I’ll be cured.”

“I want you to hold me.” Mandy forced a smile on her face. “Why don’t you come over here? I’ve missed you.”