“I must’ve just imagined it,” Taylor said quietly, staring into his hands and shaking his head slightly. “There was nobody out there.”
Zac looked up at Isaac, who could only shrug. “It’s okay,” Ike said at length. “You’re probably just a little stressed right now.”
“I think we all are,” Zac thought aloud.
Isaac looked at him. “What, Zac?”
Unaware he had voiced his idea, Zac turned his attention to Ike. “Uh, nothing,” he muttered. When Isaac didn’t look away, he added, “Really, Ike. Nothing. Just agreeing with you.”
Finally, Isaac gave a nod and looked back to Tay. “Maybe you should get some sleep. It’s been a long day,” he suggested.
Taylor gave a small nod. “Maybe.”
Hallie held a hammer in her hand, testing it’s weight in her palm. She looked up at Tracy and gave a small smile. “Ready?”
Tracy gave her a doubtful look. “Maybe tonight isn’t the night. I mean, look around. It’s storming -”
“Which makes it all the better!” Hallie cried excitedly. “Trace, our luck couldn’t be any better!” She smiled at her sister. Tracy didn’t smile back. “You’re not having second thoughts, are you? Trace, we planned this, and -”
Tracy cut her off. “No. No second thoughts. I just -”
“Good.”
Tracy surveyed her surroundings. The rain was coming down in sheets, drenching both of them. Their only shelter was the canopy of trees around them. When she and Hallie had been discussing this plan, they’d never taken bad weather into consideration. However, now that they were against it, Hallie didn’t seem to consider it a drawback. She was totally set on carrying out the plan. Tracy was totally set on stopping it.
“Okay,” Hallie said finally, catching Tracy’s attention. “It’s time.” She grinned and put her hammer in Tracy’s hand. “I’ll let you do the honors.”
Tracy looked down at the hammer held loosely in her right hand. “Hallie, I -” she began, holding the hammer toward her sister.
“You want me to do it?” she asked. Hallie smiled. “Whatever you say.” She took the hammer and once again held it in her hand. “Let’s go.”
