Chapter 2

"Sarah? Can I come with you on the Devil's Gulch survey?"

Emily stood in the doorway of my cabin, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

Her eyes were bright, eager. Just like before.

The words caught in my throat.

The memory of her, looking away as Mark prepared to kill me, was too fresh.

"No, Emily." My voice was flat, cold. Colder than I intended.

Her face fell. "What? Why not? You said I could if I finished my chores."

"That specific canyon system, Devil's Gulch, it's... dangerous. Extremely dangerous. More than they let on."

"You're just being overprotective again!" she flared. "You always do this! Ever since Mom and Dad..."

I saw it then. A new smartwatch on her wrist. Sleek, expensive.

"Where did you get that?" I asked, my voice sharp.

Emily flushed. "I bought it. With my savings."

Savings? She barely had any.

Mark. It had to be Mark. He was already working on her.

"You're not going, Emily. That's final."

She glared at me, tears welling in her eyes. "I hate you!"

She spun around and ran out.

The smartwatch. The unusual insistence.

It wasn't just a kid wanting adventure.

He was already pulling her strings.

My resolve hardened. This time, I wouldn't be the naive one.

I had to protect myself first. And if I could, protect her from him, and from herself.