Eagle Point was awash in moonlight. The second full moon of the month, and every fallen log, every boulder and makeshift seat around the bonfire pit held children. They waited in the cold, clear night, having been called from their beds by a promise, a whispered covenant.
The second full moon of the month: the only time she would come.
A flock of nightbirds flew over the clearing. For a moment all was shadow and the noise of flight. When the shifting, shuddering shadows were gone, she was there: a ten-year-old girl, blonde hair turned silvery in the moonlight, standing in the bonfire pit.
Although she was at least five feet from the nearest child, they all drew back a tiny bit anyway.
“I’m glad you came,” Peri said, “because this is important. Now listen, and I’ll tell you how I died.”
