“You have ninety seconds to hide. If you are found, you die. Good luck.”

Cody Herbert’s voice was threatening and sinister. His words sent ripples of fear down Ally’s spine. They made her joints stiffen. Every finger and every toe. She could crack her neck in the same way that Grampa did when he woke up in the morning.

Why did she have to play at the park today? Right now, huddled under the jungle gym with Bradley and Susie, the grass and benches with their parents seemed so far. So, so, far. They may as well have been on another world.

“When I find you, I will stab you. I will gut-“

“CODY. HERBERT!!!!”

It was Cody’s mother. Ally recognized the high pitch in her voice. It sent shivers to the tips of her fingers and toes. Someone was in deep trouble. She stepped off the grass and into the sand of the jungle gym. The dust from her feet made her look like she was emerging from the sand rather than walking through it.

“Who taught you to talk like that to your friends!?! Was it those video games??” She took a deep breath. She was far from done. “Well, you aren’t playing those games for a _looooong_ time, mister! Not with that mouth of yours!!!”

“But Mom…” Cody’s tone was pleading. Helpless. Defeated.

“No!!!” Mrs. Herbert bellowed. “To the car. Now!!!”

And that was the last of Cody Herbert until Monday morning.