Chapter 11 - The Second Burial
The Blackwood forest fell into a deathly silence as the first police cruisers breached the perimeter.
Detective Aris, despite his bruising and concussion, did something he had never done in twenty years on the force.
He lied.
He reported to his superiors that a gang of Marcus Thorne’s accomplices had ambushed them at the cabin, and Thomas had died shielding his family from the gunfire.
No shadow entities were recorded in the official files.
No violet light was mentioned in the police report.
Aris knew that if he told the truth, Rachel and Madison would become government lab rats for the rest of their lives.
A few days later, a second funeral was held.
This time, there was no lavish parlor or crowd of mourners.
Only Rachel, Madison, Aunt Lorraine, and Detective Aris stood before a closed grave in a quiet, isolated cemetery.
The casket was permanently sealed.
As the heavy dirt rained down on the wooden box, Rachel pulled Madison tightly against her side.
She did not cry; her tears had already dried on the muddy peak of Blackwood Ridge.
"Goodbye, my hero," Rachel whispered to the wind.
Madison tossed her old, worn stuffed rabbit into the open grave, a final companion for her father in the dark.
"He is really sleeping now, Mommy," Madison said, her voice carrying an eerie, profound peace.
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They turned and walked away, believing the nightmare was finally buried.
But they didn't know that once a door to the other side is violently ripped open, it can never be easily closed.
