Unease prickled behind George’s eyes as he gazed at Wyatt for a moment. “Because people in that part of the world like to be left alone.”

“All right. Thanks for the tip and the coffee.”

Less than 30 minutes later, Wyatt got into his Ford Escape, left Spiritsburg, and, once again, headed deep into the heart of Lucifer’s Notch.

CHAPTER 34

Northeast Kingdom, Vermont

Rock after rock.

Sam’s hands and fingers found their grip on the rough stone surface, her muscles contracting in her arms, working with the muscles in her chest, shoulders, neck, and back as she hefted the weight.

Rock after rock.

Gripping and lifting, while watching out for the bat.

Time after time.

Sam had lost count of how many rocks she’d moved in the last couple of days. Taking care, she’d place them at the edge of her space, out of the monster’s sight. She’d move rocks until her light grew weak. She’d stop to recharge it by pedaling on the stationary bike, welcoming the rest for her upper body. Often, she felt so weak she’d fall asleep while her legs worked.

Rock after rock.

Sam continued hefting and placing the stones, working to the painful sound of her own breath and determined agony. Her strained muscles ached; her hands became raw. She used the towel to cover the rocks, but it made her grip more difficult.

She was burning more calories, drinking more. She was always hungry—working in a never-ending cycle, burning more calories, drinking more, and always hungry….

Still, she worked as much as she could, and then staggered to her bed, trembling and trying to hold herself together. Her will to go on would melt, giving way to the belief that her idea of finding freedom was futile.

What am I doing? I’m going to die here.

At times, Sam felt like Sisyphus from Greek mythology, condemned in hell to forever roll a boulder uphill only to have it always roll down again.

She would fall asleep, thinking and dreaming about times in her life. Remembering her dad, looking down at his happy face while flying in the air above him as he tossed her over his head, his big hands catching her.

She remembered her mom, working in the kitchen, smelling sweet like apples and cinnamon. Her beautiful smile. Her lovely hands caressing her.

Sam would think of how her mother survived her dad’s death.

You just keep going, Sam. You do it for the person you lost.

Sam thought of how she’d survived her mother’s death.

I just keep going. For the people I lost.

Sam would wake stiff, but recharged with determination, drawing strength from her parents, and she would keep moving the rocks.

As she worked, Sam was vigilant in selecting each rock to be moved. She was aware they were precariously balanced together and in constant danger of collapsing.

She worked.

Rock after rock.