Prologue
JUDGE
The Past
“WHAT’S GOING ON OUT THERE, MITCHELL?” I hear Mom ask as I slowly walk down the stairs. My whole body hurts, and I’m stiff from the brutal way I was treated tonight. My hair’s wet and dripping on my shirt from my recent shower, but I still feel dirty. I always feel dirty, no matter how much I wash away their disgusting scent.
When I round the corner to the living room, I come to a stop. It’s four in the morning, but it’s Hell Night, so it’s not unusual for my parents to still be up. Dad’s at the window, staring out into the dark night. Mom’s standing a few feet behind him, dressed in her nightclothes, her hand clutching her neck and her face pinched in concern.
Dad looks away from the window, darting his eyes first to me then to my mom. “I don’t know, dear, but whatever it is, it isn’t good.”
I know exactly what’s going on, and my nerves jump with excited anticipation. Mae and Dale warned us only yesterday what was going to happen, but it feels like I’ve been waiting years. I guess in a way, I have been. Fourteen years, to be exact. Since the day I was born.
Just then, a loud yell comes from outside. Dad turns back to the window, and I rush over to the other one. Across the street, there’s a man on his stomach, struggling with another man on top of him. They’re under the streetlight, so we’ve got a good view of them. The man on top digs his knee into the one beneath him, then pulls a pair of handcuffs from his side and cuffs the guy. Another man approaches them, and when he steps into the light, I see the gun he’s holding.
It’s started, and it’s about damn time.
I back away from the window and turn to leave the living room. I need to find the others so we can meet Mae and Dale at The Hill.
“Kayn, go up to your room,” Dad calls from behind me.
I turn back to him and lift my chin. “No.”
His brows lift. “Excuse me?”
“I’m leaving,” I say and spin back to the doorway. I’ve just passed through when I’m yanked around by my wrist.
“You’re not going anywhere, son. It’s not safe out there. Now do as I told you and go to your room.”
I jerk my arm from his hold. I can’t stand for him to touch me. It may not be safe for him and Mom, but even if the authorities find me, I wouldn’t be in trouble like they’ll be.
“I’m leaving,” I state again, my voice firm.
“And where are you going?” Mom asks, coming to stand beside Dad. “It’s four in the morning.”
“To find my brothers.”
Dad barks out a laugh. “Like hell you are. You’re aren’t leaving this house until we figure out what’s going on.”
There’s a gunshot outside, and Mom yelps in surprise. Her eyes slide to the window as she edges closer to Dad.
I take a step back and smirk at them both. “I know exactly what’s going on.”
Dad’s hand darts out and snags my wrist again. “What do you know?”
When I tug on my arm, his fingers tighten. I’ve grown a lot over the last year, but my dad is still bigger and stronger than me. Even so, my anger and determination are much more than his. Because of that and the pain still coursing through my body from Hell Night, when I rear back and clock him on his chin, he lets go and falls over the coffee table. I’ve never really hit anyone before, so I’m surprised at the pain in my hand. I shake it out and glower at Dad and Mom, who has rushed to her husband’s side.
“What in the world is wrong with you, Kayn?” Mom demands.
“I told you, I’m leaving and neither of you will stop me.”
I turn around and rush from the room. I need to leave and get to my brothers before it’s too late. I hear Mom and Dad yelling my name as I slip through the back door. I ignore them both. I don’t care what happens to them, as long as I get to my brothers and we all get to The Hill. Mae and Dale are supposed to help us leave Sweet Haven. The note they got yesterday said there was going to be a raid. Mae and Dale knew we would be separated if the cops found us. I can’t imagine not having my brothers around. The thought causes a weird feeling to form in my chest.
The backyard is dark as I sprint across the wet grass. I’m barefoot, so the blades stick to my feet. I was just getting out of the shower when I heard a loud bang outside. I rushed to put on my clothes and get downstairs. I’ve been anxious all day because we didn’t know when the town was going to be raided. I had hoped it would be before Hell Night began, so when it didn’t happen and we came back home, I thought something went wrong. Or the note was just some cruel joke.
I’ve never been more happy to be wrong.
I hide behind a tree when I see a couple of shadowed figures sneak around the side of Mr. and Mrs. Moore’s house. I stiffen when I feel someone come up behind me.
“Where are the others?” JW whispers, and I relax.
I keep my eyes on the house and watch the dark figures move inside as I answer JW. “I’m not sure, but I’ve got a guess.” I reach back, grab his shirt, and pull him behind me.
The plan was for me and JW to meet up and go to The Hill together. Trouble and Emo were to do the same. That was the plan, but I’m changing it. I’m not going to The Hill without making sure Trouble and Emo go as well. Trouble, I’m not worried about. It’s Emo that concerns me. He told us earlier today that he heard Rella, Trouble’s eight-year-old sister, screaming. It’s ridiculous and impossible. Rella died a week ago from slitting her own wrists. When my brothers and I found her, she was already dead, the wood floor beneath her soaked with her deep red blood. Emo won’t leave until he looks for her. Trouble and Rella’s house is where we’re headed.
I stop us when I see Noah Vincent come out of nowhere and run toward his car, only to be stopped by the cops.
“Halt! This is the FBI! Put your hands behind your head and get on your knees!”
I pull JW in another direction, away from the cops and Noah. I’m forced to stop again when JW digs in his heels. I turn and find him looking in the direction of his house. His mother’s screams pierce the night air.
“JW!” I hiss to grab his attention. “We gotta go.”