Chapter 24

“Why did you do it?” I asked, my voice harsh. I demanded he tell me, demanded he let me in. I fought the urge to reach over and pummel him into submissive admission.

“I saw inside. I saw Hilary, it let me see her. I heard,” his voice dropped, I could see his hands turning against one another. “I heard her call for me.”

“What do you mean inside? Where inside?” I asked as I maneuvered the car around a sharp bend.

“I went inside the tree. It is where he has her. I heard it tell me last night, heard it in my head. I know what I have to do to get her back.” He looked at me, eyes wide. Something in him was fighting against the words he spoke.

“What do you have to do?” I tried sounding casual.

“Tomorrow. It will all be alright tomorrow.”

“Barrett,” I started to say but he shook his head, I knew he wouldn’t say anymore.

Fine, if he wouldn’t tell me the easy way, then I would have to employ trickier maneuvers. If this were a game, like my aunt said, then I would win at any cost.