Chapter 5

*FLASHBACK.

Catherine - 8 years old

Tyler, Jace, Austin - 10 years old

CATHERINE.

I wore a light purple t-shirt that I tucked inside my white shorts. I had already slipped on my running shoes, and my hair was pulled up into a ponytail to make sure it wouldn’t go to my face. I was all geared up for play. I just needed to wait.

I sat at the end of my bed, hands clasped together, watching the clock intently. When the big hand pointed to the number 9, I jumped up and ran out of my bedroom.

It was fifteen minutes before four in the afternoon. I heard Jace telling Tyler and Austin they would go to the clearing inside the forest at this time.

I ran down the stairs and out of the front door.

I was right. They were already walking away with the other boys around their age.

I stopped at the top of the steps and counted how many there were.

One, two, three, …. seven, eight, nine.

Yes! There were only nine! They would need one more!

I skipped the stairs and ran fast to follow them, b