Chapter 4 – What Goes Around

 

Abby had been gone since morning.

She took Melvin with her into the woods, without telling their mother.

She just wanted to introduce him to her new friend—Mr. Han.

A kind old man who lived alone near the cornfield.

 

They spent the day walking and talking.

Melvin liked Mr. Han. He told funny stories, made them herbal tea.

Talked about his childhood back in China.

For a while, Abby forgot the weight she carried.

For a while… things felt normal.

 

But evening came.

And that’s when it began.

Carl was near the edge of the woods,

kicking a ball around.

The ball rolled too far—right into the trees.

He chased after it, bent to pick it up—

Then—

The ball flew out.

Fast.

Slammed into his chest so hard, it knocked him flat on his back.

He screamed.

His father came running.

 

By the time Abby and Melvin returned, the sun was low.

The woods behind them were turning black.

 

Carl pointed his finger at Abby.

“She did it! She threw it at me!”

 

Abby froze.

“I didn’t-”

 

SLAP.

Her mother didn’t wait for an explanation.

 

“You took Melvin into the woods? After I told you not to?”

Her voice shook with rage.

 

“I… I just wanted-”

 

“Shut up and get inside. Now.”

 

Abby walked to her room in silence.

Guilt in her gut.

Shame in her chest.

She laid down without thinking.

Fell asleep before the tears could start.

 

Then-

 

SPLASH.

 

She gasped awake.

Water dripping down her face, soaking her neck.

She coughed, choking on air.

Her mother stood over there.

Empty bucket in hand.

“I called you. You didn’t answer,” she said.

“If you sleep without doing the dishes again, I’ll hold your head under.”

Abby didn’t reply.

She just stared at the floor… and clenched her fists.

Out in the woods, something was watching.

It had seen everything.

It always did.

And soon...

It would act.