She didn’t hear him right. Merrick was on death row. No one escaped from death row. The words came out in a terrified shriek. “That’s impossible!”
“Shh!”
“No. He’s on death row.”
He shook his head. “Nancy and Winnie both confirmed it, Elle.”
“What? Impossible.”
He waved her down. “You’re too loud. Shh.”
“But, I don’t understand.” Her voice came out in a whimper.
He cupped her face in his hands. “Me neither, but no matter what, we’ve got to keep our wits about us—for Sally.”
She drew in a quick breath. “Sally?”
He studied her eyes. “She’s safe at the farm.”
She nodded, and then pressed her fingers into her churning stomach. Sam was right. This was about Sally. Straightening, her words came out quieter, but still stressed. “He’s probably not even here, right?”
“More likely than not, he’s hidden himself away for good, but we have to take precautions.”
His words made sense. Merrick probably wasn’t anywhere near Maine, but just in case, it was smart to be careful. “Well then, let’s get to my parents and then get out of here.” She meant Maine, and from the look of sadness on Sam’s face, he agreed with her.
“Yep.” He pointed toward the falls, where they had seen Jack.
“Jack is bigger, huh?”
It was evident that Sam suppressed a chuckle. “Yes, he would be after all these years.”
“I know,” she said softly. “I guess memories of people sort of freeze in time from when we last saw them.”
“Yep.” He took her hand and pulled her forward. “It’s equally surprising for them, too.”
“Hmm, yes,” she said, remembering their reaction to her showing up years ago. “Twice even, now.” She sighed.
As they got near, a gunshot stopped them short. “Stay here.” Sam said. “Please, Elle?” One last glance her way, and then he snuck through the trees, and was out of sight.
Sam had grown up on this land and knew it well. He did not take the well-worn path, but weaved his way through the dense trees to the side of the falls, where the lower branches of old maple trees draped over the side of the rocky cliff, high above the rushing water. A shrill laugh sounded.
His heart raced. Less than fifty yards away, Merrick held a young man close to the edge of the falls. Sam knew at once, the young man was Jack. He pulled the radio from his belt and clicked the button, but nothing happened. He tried again. Dead, he tossed the radio aside. He crept toward them, keeping to the trees lining the edge of the cliff.
Merrick shook Jack, while glancing over his shoulder at the path. “Come out, come out, wherever you are!” He grunted and his next words were chilling, “You can’t hide.” Jack thrashed about.
Merrick smashed him down on the rock, and brought his heavy foot onto his chest. “Where’s your sister?” He pressed the heel of his boot deeper into Jack.
“You’re crazy, man,” Jack said, gasping for breath. Merrick sneered. “All grown up, ain’t you? But you’re still the same kid that helped that sheriff shoot me.” He kicked him in the side, pushing him nearer to the edge.
Jack held his side. He rose up on his elbow. “You’re a sick, man. Elle is dead.” His chest rose and fell in quick succession, and his fear was replaced with anger. “You killed her.” His nostrils flared, and he grabbed Merrick’s leg.
Merrick fell down on him and rolled him over to the edge. He raised his fist and pounded it into Jack’s face. Jack fell limp, his arm dangling precariously over the rocky ledge.
Sam searched for a way to distract Merrick. A small pile of rocks rested on the rocky ledge between the trees. He bent over and picked up a rock.
Merrick pulled himself up and growled. He stood over Jack. “Stupid kid.” He brought his foot back, as Sam winged a rock past him. It smashed into the rocky ledge. Merrick turned in the direction of the rock, but then brought his attention back to Jack.
Sam picked up another rock. He pulled his arm back, but stopped. Elle had stepped out from the path, a sudden breeze catching her hair and blowing it across her face.
She screamed. “Merrick!”
Merrick stopped his kick in midair. He turned toward her. “Well, there now. That’s more like it.”
Elle looked past him to Jack. He had grown so much, from a fifteen-year-old boy to a man. She was terrified to see her brother’s body crumpled on the rocky ledge. Jack stirred. She had to get Merrick away from him. She reached her hands out to Merrick. “You win, Merrick. I’ll go with you.”
Behind Merrick, Jack pulled himself up to his knees, and then he stood. “But, you’re dead,” he said, in a whisper. Merrick appeared amused or at least entertained.
“No, Jack.” She moved to the side, keeping in the shadow of the trees, causing Merrick to turn, too. Except now, Jack was out of his view.
Jack looked from her to Merrick. He glared at him, with an anger Elle understood only too well. Her heart beat fast. No, Jack.
“Dead, huh?” Merrick chortled. “I guess then Sally will be joining ya soon.” He held up a lock of blonde hair, dangling it, like a prize trophy. The sudden movement caused a groan, and he pressed his free hand into a bloody gash on his shoulder.
What is that? Blood? Human hair? His words wouldn’t register in her mind. She fell forward, clutching at her chest, violent tremors rippling up her sides.
“Dear, dear Sally,” Merrick mocked, continuing his torment. He raised his gun, his attention now on something moving in the trees.
“No,” she whispered. “No, it can’t be.” She couldn’t move—frozen in place. “Sally?” The breaths came out in rapid succession. “She’s not . . .” She whimpered. “She’s not . . .” Horror-stricken, she couldn’t go further—her fragile mind unable to process it.
Her head flopped forward, emotions, thoughts, and fears tossing about—disconnected and surreal. Somewhere, in the
