My heart explodes against my ribcage and my pulse spikes. I grip Liam’s hand, unable to find my voice. I start to pull him away, but Liam doesn’t budge. Surely he’s not still contemplating going in there? Not with that warning emblazoned on the door. I read it again, blinking a few times as the realisation sinks in: it’s not red paint; it’s blood. Isn’t it? I mean, it can’t be paint – where would you find paint out here?

I glance at Liam. His expression is hard to read. I can tell he’s afraid, but I think he’s also trying to steel himself and hide the fear from me. He’s weighing up his options.

‘Let’s go back,’ I plead in a terrified whisper. But Liam’s expression darkens. He glares at the words painted on the door.

‘No,’ he says. ‘The bastard’s not scaring me.’

My stomach clenches into a knot. ‘Liam,’ I beg again. ‘Please. I don’t want to go inside.’

He shakes my hand off his arm. ‘You should wait for me here, or in the forest,’ he says.

My eyes widen in alarm. He can’t be serious. I shake my head furiously. ‘No way,’ I tell him. ‘We can’t split up.’

He turns to me, frustrated. ‘Laura,’ he argues. ‘It’s not safe for you to go inside.’

‘Or you!’ I hiss back at him.

‘I can handle myself,’ Liam tells me.

I know that he can, but I also know that he’s stubborn and that he doesn’t want to let this person win. But it isn’t a game, I want to tell him. Not unless two people play. And we don’t have to play. We can walk away. But deep down, I know that there’s nothing I can say that will stop him.

‘Go and wait for me in the forest.’

‘No,’ I refuse, lunging for his arm again and holding on to him. ‘What if something happens to you? What will I do?’

‘Nothing’s going to happen to me,’ he says, touching my cheek and offering me a smile. ‘I swear. Stop worrying. Now go and wait for me. I won’t be long.’

‘What are you going to do to them?’ I say, thinking of the knives he’s carrying.

‘Find out who he is and give him a warning to leave us alone.’

I swallow the lump of fear in my throat and turn to glance back at the forest, caught between the thought of running and hiding somewhere in its dark interior or following Liam into the belly of the beast. Neither option is appealing. But I’d rather be with Liam than wait, alone, not knowing what’s happening. ‘I’m coming with you,’ I say to him.

He purses his lips, frustrated, but then nods. ‘OK, but stay back, and stay quiet,’ he warns me.

I nod.