The wind picked up and roared overhead. I rolled onto my side, facing Zoi, wondering if she heard the crying squall as well. She must have, because her black glass eyes lightened to a bright green, identical to mine, and widened in fear. In one swift motion, she jumped to her feet and searched for—an exit? She sprinted toward the eastern edge of the circle, opposite the gate.
I sat up when I heard the galloping hooves. On the far north end of the matted circle, the two completely opposite-looking men, one strong, one feeble, ran after her as quickly as the two opposite-looking steeds pulled the Ankou’s flatbed carriage. As the entourage accelerated, easily catching up to Zoi, the deadly Ankou extended his backward scythe.
Even though the moonlight was blindingly bright, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. Which wasn’t that far-fetched after everything that had just happened. As Zoi ran and jumped to avoid The Ankou’s wrath, she leaped high into the air and out of the weapon’s path. Like an amazing acrobat, she rolled in a tight ball, her back barely touching the ground, and flipped back onto her feet. It was a sweet move that I’d need to practice—that was, if I still made it out of here alive.
I wanted to run to Diana and Jason, but I was caught up in the cat and mouse chase going on fifty yards away. Zoi dashed with unnatural speed from one end of the field to the other, seemingly unable to cross some kind of invisible barrier. Cornstalks surrounded us and kept us in this court. Zoi’s demise was unavoidable. I clutched my heart as galloping hooves closed in on her. Just as The Ankou’s backward scythe hooked her around the neck, I swear there was a small smile creased across her lips. They both vanished into the distant cornfield, along with all the other spirits, the water, and the broken-down Ford. All that remained was a single round rock placed near my muddy boots. And the only thought that ran through my mind was, Mom wouldn’t have liked you either, Zoi.