BECKOn his return from the unsuccessful ritual ceremony, Beck went to Ava’s room to check on her before going to bed. With the aid of the light from the candle, which was about to be out, he went to sit beside Ava, deciding to spend a little time.Just as he stroked her cheek, Ava said, “Where were you?”Being startled Beck immediately removed his hand and moved a little away from her.Ava opened her eyes and stared at him. She stirred on the bed in order to sit up. “Where did you go?”“I uh . . .”She raised her brows questioningly and stared at him suspiciously.“I uh . . .” he continued. “I . . .”“You still went out to look for Anna, right?”Seeing as that was what she thought he did, he answered, “Yes,” to concur with her and clear any suspicion she might have.“Didn’t you say you would search in the morning?

BECK Anna’s body lied still on the bed she once rested before the ritual. Her breath was faint, almost as if it wasn’t there. She still was dressed in the attire she was in for the ritual. Her body was just as normal as she was, as if she wasn’t in a fire the previous night. As Beck watched her, sitting at her feet, he wondered how he’d explain to Ava that her baby sister was alive despite that she had seen her ghost. She would never believe him. Heck! He couldn’t believe it, himself, as it was unusual—even for the abnormal things that went on in and around Strangeville. His mind ran into deep confusion as he recalled everything from the previous night to this late afternoon: 1. Anna’s ghost was at the cabin the previous night, whereas her living body lied before him now, looking perfect unlike other failed sacrifices, whose

AVANothing else filled Ava’s mind but to save Anna. If she was alive and unconscious, she needed medical attention to have a tiny knowledge of what must have happened while she was lost. Although she saw the road clearly, her eyes still saw the words, ‘Save Anna’ on the windscreen. She sped really fast across the trunk road, thankful within herself that they were not too far from Knightdale.Out of nowhere, a wraith-looking creature appeared before her eyes. Fear gripped her immediately, causing her swerve to the opposite lane of the road.As soon as she got herself, a car was rushing towards her.“Be careful!” she heard Beck scream.It was as if it was slow motion as she watched the car come closer, its horn honking really loudly. Her hands were still on the wheel as she thought there was nothing she could do to avoid the oncoming accident.All of a sudden, the vehicle swerved out

ANNASilence filled Anna’s ears as she gradually felt life flow through her. She slowly opened her eyes, breathing in and out slowly too. While she tried to sit upright, her eyes blinked as they tried to adjust to the lighting of the small room. Once she was able to see, she noticed the whole room was red: red curtains covering the whole room; the bedlinen was red too; even the lighting in the room was red; and her body covered in a red nightdress and robe.Anna looked around the room once more, wondering whether she was alive. Or was she still dead—possibly in another realm? She shook her head, dismissing the thought. She shifted on the bed to get down and find answers for herself.As her feet touched the ground, she heard a door open. She swayed her head in the direction of the sound. She gasped and shifted back onto the bed once she sighted the woman who entered the room. As she got closer to the bed, Anna moved further away on t

ANNA Ava didn’t wake until later that night. Bruce and Beck visited her before she suggested that Bruce take Beck home so they could rest properly and eat good food. They could come to see her the following day. Sara hadn’t been with them as Beck had told her since Ava didn’t know her she might not welcome her presence. Bruce had agreed, mentioning how wary of strangers Ava was. Anna didn’t go to the house with them; to her it was pointless. She stayed and watched over Ava that night, recalling all that happened since the beginning of the week. Remembering her parents, she wondered if she’d ever see them again. She had promised to go back for them but doubted it now; unless that moment was a good time. But it wasn’t; there was a chance Annika could come back to torture Ava, so she remained in her position, staring at her sister but now thinking of her brother as she was certain her sister was safe now.