Chapter 43

Elly

When Elly opened her eyes again the bright morning sky had shifted to total darkness. She peeled herself from her damp sheets. The heat that tormented her as she was falling asleep was still roasting her from within. She stumbled toward the door and tried to call out for her aunt. The words stuck in her dry throat, each syllable felt like it left a cut as she tried to force it out. She fell to her knees in a coughing fit. Water, that’s what she needed. She pushed herself to her feet and used the wall to keep her balance as she made her way to the kitchen.

It was the first time she had seen the place quiet. They said they were having celebrations every night until the full moon. Guilt gnawed at her. This moon was a big deal and she ruined their ritual. Because of her, they were attacked. Her cousin was injured. She looked out the window and saw there were no torches, no bonfire, no party. There was no one out and about. Just a somber moonless night. She turned the cold tap on and