Chapter 40: The Ritual

As Rory and Micah raced through the park, the sun had fully set and shadows cloaked the same sidewalks they’d been walking on only an hour before.

Rory slowed to a walk, trying in vain to call Rachel’s phone yet again. She wasn’t at any of the restaurants they’d checked and although her sister was probably fine, already in a taxi back home, Rory couldn’t shake the feeling that something was desperately wrong and that she was nearby.

“Rory,” Micah panted, struggling to catch up to her. “Let me send Stony to look for her. This is too dangerous for you. The Rogue One could be here.”

Rory looked back at him. “If it’s too dangerous for me, then it’s too dangerous for her. I may not like Rachel, but she’s still my sister. And something just feels… off.”

“But we don’t even know where she is,” Micah said.

Rory spun around on the sidewalk, squinting into the darkness. “Where are you?” she whispered.