Just like the Griever's Hole, the dead men hung by hooks, the Rat Man, the Cranks and the brick walls, Minho had hopes that Frankie's death was just another illusion. As much as he tried to distance himself from disappointment, this was one thing he...
"WHAT THE SHUCK do you mean 'she's gone?'" Minho demanded, pointing his finger at Brenda accusingly.
"I told you!" Brenda groaned, clearly not appreciating the attitude, "She woke me up and said that she's going after Aris with Reggie! Said she'll catch up with us!"
"Hermano, time's ticking. We have to move," Jorge tried to reason.
"Shuck!" Minho cursed angrily, running a hand through his hair.
"She's good, okay? She can protect herself. Especially with Reggie. Did you not see the way they killed a bunch of Cranks and saved all of our heads?" Brenda retorted impatiently.
"I can't. I just can't lose her again."
〰️
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THE DOOR TO the cave swung open with a loud pop sound and a sharp hiss. Wispy streams of white mist swirled through the widening crack, almost immediately evaporating into nothing.
Frankie didn't even realize that she was holding her breath in anticipation as Teresa stepped in with a flashlight, while Aris made sure that Thomas wasn't resisting.
"Looks about right," she could hear Teresa announced. "Exactly like they said it would be. So ... I guess this is it?" Teresa asked.
Aris nodded, then switched his knife to the other hand, holding it more tightly. "This is it. Thomas, be a good boy and go on inside. Who knows, maybe this is all a big test and once you're in they'll let you go and we can all have a happy reunion."
Thomas didn't budge for awhile. Aris waved his blade, indicating that he should walk forward. "Come on. Don't make me drag you in."
He looked like he was giving up, surrendering his life to the two maniacs. But after five steps, right before he entered the cave willingly, Thomas stopped and turned around.
"What did Rachel look like as she bled to death?"
Frankie smiled. Thomas was definitely a fighter.
He took advantage of Aris' shock and jumped toward the other boy, swinging his left arm to smack the knife out of his hand.
"Guess this is our cue," Reggie announced before jumping out of the shadow. "Hey, psychos!"
Aris and Teresa gaped in surprise. They weren't expecting this intrusion.
Then Thomas slammed his right fist into Aris' stomach, sending him to the ground.
"We would love to take Thomas back, thank you very much."
Teresa tore her gaze off Reggie and grabbed her spear fast. She swung its butt through the air, smacking Thomas on the side of his head. The impact sent him backwards, onto the ground, with painful throbs pulsing on his temple.
