The Shadows we keep

Prologue

Ravenswood, 1995

Night descended upon Ravenswood like a shroud, casting long shadows across the small town. In a weathered cabin on the outskirts, eight-year-old Emily trembled beneath her blankets.

"Mommy, I saw something," Emily whispered, her voice barely audible.

Her mother's expression tightened, her eyes flicking toward the window. The wind whispered secrets through the trees, and the shadows seemed to twist and writhe.

"What did you see, sweetie?" her mother asked, her tone low and urgent.

Emily's eyes welled up with tears. "A shadow. It was watching us. It had eyes."

Her mother's gaze darted around the room, as if searching for something lurking just out of sight. "It's just your imagination, Emily. Go to sleep."

But Emily knew what she saw. And she knew the shadows didn't sleep.

As her mother's grip on her hand tightened, Emily felt a chill crawl up her spine. The shadows seemed to pulse with a life of their own, waiting for their moment to strike.

Suddenly, the lights flickered and died. The darkness closed in, suffocating.

"Mommy?" Emily whispered, panic rising.

Her mother's voice was barely audible. "I'm here, baby. Don't let the shadows get you."

But it was too late. The shadows had already begun to seep into Emily's soul