KEILAH

We drove in silence, each car slicing through the chilly morning mist as they sped down the winding road toward the hills. Ralph drove in front, Aaron beside him in the passenger seat. Seth, Garbie, and Gerald followed in the third car, while Damien took the lead vehicle—with me. Of course, he did. He had insisted on it, his voice firm and unyielding, giving no room for argument. Marina sat silently in the back seat, arms crossed, eyes burning holes into the road ahead.

But I wasn’t paying attention to Marina.

I kept glancing at Damien.

His hands gripped the steering wheel like he wanted to crush it, every...