The words used to describe what we’d witnessed varied, but we’d seen darkness itself in form. We referred to them collectively as the Fury, a name that felt appropriate because they were what were left when God removed his hand of protection. They were death itself, and that death could ravage not only our minds but our bodies.

We’d all seen them, erupting from the air as if they’d been waiting for a thousand years to show themselves. No one could experience what we had and not be permanently altered.

Even as the rest of the world remained in blindness, we had been given true sight to see the evil coming to destroy the earth, straight from hell, unstoppable and more terrifying than one could imagine.

Three years after we’d been given sight to see the coming scourge, and only six months after Rose had led us to the safety of Haven Valley, the Fury swarmed the earth. We didn’t see them this time, but the world had gone dark and lightning had ripped jagged tears in the sky. Crackling thunder punctuated the terrible howling and screams that echoed from the hills beyond our perimeter.

But we in Haven Valley were spared, as Sylous had promised.

They had come alright. For sure. And even now they were out there, beyond the red rope that kept us safe, hunting and feeding on every wayward soul, and they would continue until the whole earth was cleansed of wickedness. They had been present ten years, so maybe the purging would end soon, but not yet. Not until Sylous told Rose it was time to leave the valley and inherit a new, purified earth.

And yet Jamie had broken the law and ventured out already. And I’d helped him. What had I been thinking?

Again I glanced at my wrist, trying to push away the frightening thoughts. More of Harrison’s wisdom echoed in my mind. “To truly love someone is to hold them accountable. As God loves us with a fierce wrath, so we should love one another.”

I should have locked Jamie in his room. Or tied him to his bed. At the very least, I should have told someone. But I couldn’t betray my brother. So what was I to do?

I turned away from the forest, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly through my nose. “What should I do, Lukas?” I whispered.