I don't bother stating the obvious, which is that our friend’s brains are splattered across the ground.
“Do you need anything from us?” Someone asks. “Like a… statement or something?”
“Fuck if I know,” Rick shakes his head again, illustrating his complete uselessness. “Just go on, get out of here. I’ll radio back to the station and see if I can't get someone to come help me scrape this boy off the ground.”
I don't object. If I don't get out of here soon, I'm never going to get the sight of the inside of someone's skull out of my head. I don't fight the two people who shepherd me to the back of the pickup truck, lowering the tailgate before telling me to hop in.
It takes a lot of effort with all of my energy depleted from the vomiting fest, but I manage to crawl into the back and curl my knees into my chest, trying to process what the fuck is happening.
A few more people climb into the tailgate to sit in the bed with me, and I lift my head to see them.
A startled scream slips out of my throat when I catch her staring at me.
The paint is running down her face, just the way it was the last time I saw her, melted by sweat and tears and rubbing off on the ground we pressed her against.
Gianna.
She smirks, slow and sinister, and then she's gone.
I blink, ignoring the questioning looks from my friends.
I'm imagining things.
The stress of the day is manifesting in weird ways. I've seen two of my best friends' bodies, and it's taking a toll on me.
"You okay, Krowe?" Someone asks.
"Good." I nod, because what the fuck else am I going to say? The bitch we left out to dry up last night is tormenting me?
Rick smacks the tailgate and lifts a hand in parting.
"Be a little more careful this time. Don't get into any accidents on the way, right?"
Chapter 13
Thecornfieldlooksentirelydifferent than it did this morning, all lit up in a neon glow with jaunty music issuing from speakers set up around the edges of the cornfield. It seems the whole town came out for Hollow Night.
Cars and trucks were lined up all along the cemetery drive. But the friend who's driving us follows Jackson's direction anddrives through the field, straight toward the ticket booth set up at the entrance.
Maude, the librarian, grins widely when we approach.
“Happy Hollow Night, boys.” She ignores Sadie and her friend. “I’m sorry the game was canceled. I was so hoping to watch you guys smack down the opponents. And I-"
She stops short, and I follow the line of her vision to my head.
"Just a bump." I assure her. “Have you seen my father?” I crane my neck to look past her like he may be stuffed into the portable ticket booth with her.
"No..." She frowns. "Actually, I haven't seen him at all today. Normally, he's here to help with the set-up." She makes a strange little noise in the back of her throat and then fixes the smile back on her face. "How many tickets for you all?"
Sadie's boyfriend, Vick, pulls out his wallet and presents Maude with his card. As they get our tickets, I turn to scan the fairgrounds, looking for my father. I don't know what good it will do to find him, since I can't exactly tell him I think I'm being haunted, that I actually did have something to do with the girl who disappeared, that just less than twenty-four hours ago, we left her naked and half-dead tied to the stake.
When my eyes gravitate toward the spot in question, I'm surprised to find four scarecrows, lined up side-by-side.
Usually on Hollow Night we honor the original scarecrow, the one who saved our town from famine and depression. It's weird to see 4, but I suppose this is an homage to the decades of 'sacrifices'.
I feel like my skin is stretched too tight as I stare at them... particularly when I notice the attire on the last one.
"Jackson..." I elbow him in the ribs, drawing him out of the stupor he's been in since I woke up in the car to find him in shock. He blinks at me, like he's confused to see me.
