g pulled, dragged through something cold and shapeless. The lantern in her grip flared, its e

th coming in ragged gasps. The air here was heavier, thicker,

ted her

ned with jagged stones. But as her eyes adjusted, she

p at her. Some looked ancient, others disturbingly fresh. The path snaked forward into

t pounded. W

rushed agai

... or she w

ic shadows. No one was there. But som

runching over brittle bones. Every step sent echoes into

ered red scarf, caught

s's s

free. It was damp and smelle

ing sound ca

ed her lan

thing symbols. The carvings shifted, moving like living things. A set of long,

loser, something

t scr

hing, she t

lantern's glow. Not the hooded one

eneath a mask of bone, hollow eye sockets gazing at her with an unnatural

ch

eath caugh

e tilted

d, it turned and van

n, heart hammering as

forest around her twisting, shifting, whispe

crossed the thres

ing wen