3
Shane had checked in as expected and now shadows filled the room. Ellie rolled her shoulders. Hearing a board creek on the front porch, she stepped away from the desk and peered into the darkness. The sky was dark with just a few stars making an appearance, the moon a mere slice of light. It was eerily quiet. Just as she pushed the door closed to lock it, she hit the floor. She struggled to gain her footing, instincts screaming, run. Before she could flee, blinding pain and then darkness enveloped her.
“Ellie, you need to open your eyes. Come on, sweetheart I know you can hear me.”
Ellie struggled to sit up, gingerly touching the back of her throbbing head. Something felt wet and sticky. “Well that can’t be good,” she whispered.
“Ellie?”
Holding back a scream, she croaked, “Who’s th
