For several seconds, nobody moved.

Nobody breathed.

Nobody even screamed.

Which was impressive, considering that a gigantic pair of eyes had just opened beneath them.

Elliot Finch stared into the darkness.

The darkness stared back.

He slowly raised one finger.

“Can I say something?”

Clara whispered:

“No.”

“But—”

“No.”

Thomas looked at the hole beneath the Heart of Blackwood.

“We need to leave.”

Elliot nodded.

“Finally, someone has said something sensible.”

The mayor shook his head.

“No.”

Everyone turned toward him.

The mayor stood near the edge of the chamber.

His face was strangely calm.

Thomas raised his weapon.

“What did you say?”

The mayor smiled.

“We’re not leaving.”

Elliot pointed at the enormous hole.

“There’s a giant monster underneath us.”

The mayor shrugged.

“Technically, it’s not a monster.”

Elliot stared.

“That’s your argument?”

“It is an ancient guardian.”

“It has enormous eyes!”

“So do owls.”

“Owls don’t live under towns!”

The mayor paused.

“Some might.”

Clara grabbed Elliot’s arm.

“Ignore him.”

Thomas moved toward the exit.

“We’re leaving.”

The mayor stepped in front of him.

“No.”

Thomas raised his weapon.

“Move.”

The mayor smiled.

“You still don’t understand.”

Thomas’s expression hardened.

“I understand enough.”

“No.”

The mayor looked at the black stone.

“You understand nothing.”

The Heart pulsed again.

THUMP.

The chamber shook.

Dust fell from the ceiling.

Elliot grabbed Clara.

“Maybe we should discuss this somewhere that isn’t collapsing.”

Thomas nodded.

“For once, I agree with him.”

They moved toward the exit.

The mayor suddenly shouted:

“Stop!”

Everyone froze.

The mayor pointed at Elliot.

“He’s the key.”

Elliot pointed at himself.

“Again?”

Clara stepped in front of him.

“Leave my brother alone.”

The mayor looked at her.

“You don’t know what he is.”

“He’s my brother.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“Then explain.”

The mayor sighed.

“Seven years ago, your parents discovered the Heart.”

Clara nodded.

“We know.”

“They also discovered the chamber beneath it.”

“The one with the monster?”

The mayor nodded.

“The creature isn’t a monster.”

Elliot frowned.

“What is it?”

“The first guardian.”

Thomas’s face changed.

“That thing?”

The mayor nodded.

“Yes.”

Thomas shook his head.

“It can’t be.”

“Why?”

“Because the guardian was destroyed.”

The mayor smiled.

“That’s what the Blackwoods wanted everyone to believe.”

Elliot looked at Thomas.

“Who are the Blackwoods?”

Thomas stared at the floor.

“The original owners of Willowmere.”

“That’s not enough.”

“They controlled the town.”

“How?”

“Through fear.”

The mayor stepped closer.

“And through the Heart.”

The mayor’s voice became quiet.

“The Blackwoods discovered that the Heart could transfer life from one person to another.”

Clara looked at her parents.

“So they used it to live forever.”

“Yes.”

“That’s why they were so powerful.”

“Yes.”

“Then what happened?”

The mayor looked at the hole.

“Your parents found a way to stop them.”

Elliot stared.

“My parents?”

“Yes.”

“They were heroes?”

The mayor laughed.

“Not exactly.”

Elliot frowned.

“Why does everyone answer questions like they’re allergic to simple sentences?”

Clara ignored him.

“What did our parents do?”

The mayor looked at Thomas.

“Tell them.”

Thomas closed his eyes.

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I promised.”

Clara stepped forward.

“Promised who?”

Thomas looked at her.

“Your mother.”

Clara’s expression softened.

“What did she make you promise?”

Thomas whispered:

“To protect you.”

Elliot shook his head.

“You erased our memories.”

“Yes.”

“You took us away.”

“Yes.”

“You left our parents.”

Thomas looked at him.

“I didn’t leave them.”

“Then what happened?”

Thomas’s voice broke.

“They chose to stay.”

Clara’s eyes filled with tears.

“Why?”

“Because someone had to keep the Heart sealed.”

Elliot looked at the glowing stone.

“Your parents were connected to it.”

Thomas nodded.

“They sacrificed themselves.”

Clara whispered:

“No.”

Thomas looked away.

“But they didn’t die.”

Elliot stared.

“What?”

“They became part of the seal.”

Clara looked at her parents.

The two figures stood silently beside the Heart.

Elliot finally understood.

“That’s why they’re trapped.”

Thomas nodded.

“They’ve been holding the seal closed for seven years.”

The mayor interrupted.

“Until now.”

The Heart pulsed.

THUMP.

The chamber cracked again.

Thomas turned toward the mayor.

“You released it.”

The mayor smiled.

“Yes.”

Clara stared at him.

“Why?”

“Because the Blackwoods are returning.”

“Who cares?”

The mayor looked at her.

“I do.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m one of them.”

Silence.

Elliot blinked.

“What?”

The mayor removed his silver ring.

The Raven Mark glowed.

“I am the last living Blackwood.”

Thomas raised his weapon.

“You killed them.”

The mayor laughed.

“No.”

He looked toward the darkness.

“They’re coming back.”

The enormous eyes opened wider.

Then…

A hand appeared.

A massive black hand.

It grabbed the edge of the chamber.

Elliot stepped backward.

“That’s a hand.”

Clara stared.

“Yes.”

“It’s a very large hand.”

“Yes.”

“That’s concerning.”

“Yes.”

Elliot nodded.

“Just making sure we’re all aware.”

The creature began climbing upward.

Thomas shouted:

“Run!”

This time…

Everyone agreed.

They raced toward the exit.

The mayor grabbed Clara.

She screamed.

“Let go!”

“Listen to me!”

She fought him.

“You’re the one who caused this!”

“No!”

“You released the Heart!”

“I did it to stop them!”

“Stop who?”

“The Blackwoods!”

The creature roared.

The chamber shook violently.

The mayor pointed toward the darkness.

“They’re already here.”

A figure stepped out of the shadows.

Then another.

Then another.

Men and women.

All wearing black.

All carrying the Raven Mark.

Clara froze.

Elliot whispered:

“How many are there?”

Thomas looked around.

“Too many.”

The mayor stepped forward.

“The Blackwood family.”

The figures moved closer.

One of them spoke.

“Edmund.”

The mayor turned.

The figure smiled.

“Brother.”

Elliot looked at the mayor.

“Brother?”

The mayor’s face became pale.

“You.”

The figure laughed.

“I thought you were dead.”

Edmund stared.

“You were supposed to be.”

The figure smiled.

“So were you.”

Clara looked at Thomas.

“What is happening?”

Thomas whispered:

“The Blackwoods have returned.”

The figure stepped forward.

“My name is Victor Blackwood.”

Elliot raised his hand.

“Nice to meet you.”

Everyone stared at him.

Elliot lowered his hand.

“Sorry.”

Victor looked at him.

“You’re the Finch boy.”

Elliot frowned.

“I have a name.”

Victor smiled.

“Elliot Finch.”

“Yes.”

“The key.”

Elliot sighed.

“That again.”

Victor looked at Clara.

“And the girl.”

Clara stepped forward.

“Don’t call me the girl.”

Victor laughed.

“You have your mother’s temper.”

Clara froze.

“You knew my mother?”

Victor smiled.

“Everyone knew your mother.”

“Where is she?”

Victor pointed toward the Heart.

“Right there.”

Clara turned.

Her mother stood beside the stone.

Eyes closed.

Clara ran toward her.

“Mom!”

The moment Clara touched the stone…

The Heart exploded with light.

A wave of energy threw everyone backward.

Elliot hit the ground.

“Ow.”

Thomas landed beside him.

“Are you okay?”

“No.”

“Good.”

“Why is that good?”

“Because if you were dead, I’d have to explain it to your sister.”

Elliot stared.

“That’s your concern?”

Thomas stood.

“Get up.”

Elliot got up.

The Heart was glowing brighter.

Clara stood in front of it.

Her mother had opened her eyes.

“Clara.”

“Mom!”

Her mother looked terrified.

“Listen to me.”

Clara moved closer.

“How do I get you out?”

“You can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because the Heart needs a guardian.”

Clara shook her head.

“No.”

Her mother looked at Elliot.

“Your brother must leave.”

Elliot froze.

“Me?”

His mother nodded.

“The Heart has chosen you.”

Clara stepped between them.

“No.”

Her mother whispered:

“Clara…”

“No!”

Clara grabbed Elliot.

“You’re not taking him.”

The mayor moved toward them.

“Clara, listen.”

She turned.

“Stay away from us.”

“I’m trying to save him.”

“You caused this.”

“I had no choice.”

“There is always a choice!”

The mayor’s face became serious.

“Not when the Blackwoods are coming.”

Victor laughed.

“Still blaming us?”

The mayor looked at him.

“You destroyed this town.”

Victor smiled.

“We built it.”

“You stole people’s lives.”

“We gave them prosperity.”

“You killed innocent people.”

“We gave them a future.”

Thomas stepped forward.

“Enough!”

Everyone stopped.

Thomas looked at the Blackwoods.

“Your family has been using the Heart for generations.”

Victor smiled.

“Yes.”

“You’re responsible for hundreds of deaths.”

“Thousands.”

Elliot stared.

Victor continued:

“The Heart is not evil.”

Thomas shook his head.

“No.”

Victor looked at Elliot.

“People are.”

Elliot frowned.

Victor smiled.

“The Heart only gives people what they want.”

Clara stared.

“What do you want?”

Victor laughed.

“Power.”

The Heart pulsed.

THUMP.

The floor cracked.

Victor smiled.

“And soon…”

He looked at Elliot.

“…we will have it.”

Elliot stepped backward.

“What happens if you get me?”

Victor smiled.

“Your blood opens the final chamber.”

Thomas’s face changed.

“The final chamber.”

Victor nodded.

“The place where the original Heart sleeps.”

Elliot stared.

“There’s another one?”

Thomas whispered:

“That’s what your parents discovered.”

Clara turned toward him.

“What?”

Thomas looked at Elliot.

“There are two Hearts.”

The room fell silent.

Elliot stared.

“Two?”

Victor laughed.

“The one you see is only a fragment.”

The mayor stepped forward.

“The real Heart is beneath Willowmere.”

Clara finally understood.

“That’s why you needed Elliot.”

The mayor nodded.

“The Finch bloodline can open the chamber.”

Elliot looked at everyone.

“So…”

He pointed at himself.

“I’m a key.”

Victor nodded.

“And your sister is the guardian.”

Clara froze.

“What?”

Victor smiled.

“The Heart chose her.”

The ground shook.

Clara suddenly fell to her knees.

Elliot grabbed her.

“Clara!”

Her eyes had turned silver.

She stared at him.

“Elliot…”

“What?”

“I can hear it.”

“Hear what?”

She touched her chest.

“The Heart.”

Elliot’s face went pale.

“What is it saying?”

Clara whispered:

“It’s asking me…”

She looked at the darkness.

“…to choose.”

The mayor stepped forward.

“Choose what?”

Clara looked at him.

“Who lives.”

Silence.

The Heart pulsed.

THUMP.

A strange light spread through the chamber.

Clara looked at Elliot.

“Mom and Dad…”

“What about them?”

“They can be free.”

Elliot’s heart jumped.

“How?”

Clara’s eyes filled with tears.

“Someone has to take their place.”

Elliot understood.

“No.”

Clara looked at him.

“Elliot…”

“No.”

“You don’t know what I was going to say.”

“Yes, I do.”

“You can’t stop me.”

“I can.”

“How?”

Elliot grabbed her hand.

“Because I’m your brother.”

Clara began to cry.

“You don’t understand.”

“I understand perfectly.”

“No.”

“You want to sacrifice yourself.”

Clara didn’t answer.

Elliot shook his head.

“No.”

The Heart pulsed again.

THUMP.

Victor shouted:

“Enough!”

The Blackwoods moved forward.

Thomas attacked the nearest one.

The chamber erupted into chaos.

Elliot grabbed Clara.

“Run!”

They ran.

Thomas fought behind them.

The mayor stood against Victor.

The Heart screamed.

Not like a person.

Like the earth itself.

Elliot and Clara reached the staircase.

They climbed.

Behind them came footsteps.

“Faster!”

“I’m trying!”

“You’re too slow!”

“You’re the one carrying the backpack!”

Elliot threw it away.

Sandwiches flew everywhere.

Clara stared.

“Why did you do that?”

“Emergency sacrifice.”

They continued running.

Suddenly…

The tunnel ended.

They emerged into Willowmere.

But something was wrong.

The entire town was empty.

No people.

No cars.

No lights.

The streets were deserted.

Elliot stared.

“Where is everyone?”

Clara looked around.

“I don’t know.”

A bell rang.

Once.

Twice.

Then every light in the town turned on.

At the end of the street stood hundreds of people.

All wearing black.

All carrying the Raven Mark.

Clara whispered:

“The Blackwoods.”

Elliot stepped backward.

“No.”

A man walked forward.

He held a golden key.

“The final chamber is ready.”

Elliot looked at Clara.

Then at Thomas.

Then at the mayor.

The mayor was standing behind them.

His clothes were covered in blood.

“Run,” he whispered.

Elliot frowned.

“What?”

“Run.”

Victor’s voice echoed through the empty streets.

“There’s nowhere to run.”

The ground beneath Elliot cracked.

He fell.

Clara grabbed him.

But the earth opened wider.

Elliot slipped.

“CLARA!”

She held his hand.

“Don’t let go!”

“I won’t!”

Thomas ran toward them.

The mayor shouted:

“GET AWAY FROM THE HOLE!”

Clara looked down.

Something was rising.

A massive black staircase.

Leading beneath the town.

Victor smiled.

“The final chamber.”

Elliot looked at the staircase.

Then at Clara.

Then at the darkness below.

The Heart inside his chest began to glow.

A voice whispered:

COME HOME.

Elliot closed his eyes.

Then he heard another voice.

His mother’s.

Don’t trust the mayor.

His father’s.

Don’t trust Thomas.

Elliot opened his eyes.

Clara stared at him.

“What happened?”

Elliot slowly looked at everyone.

The mayor.

Thomas.

Victor.

Then he whispered:

“They’re all lying.”

Clara froze.

“What?”

Elliot pointed toward the underground staircase.

“The truth isn’t down there.”

Thomas stepped forward.

“Then where?”

Elliot looked toward the sky.

“The truth…”

He swallowed.

“…is inside me.”

The Heart suddenly exploded with light.

Everyone screamed.

The Blackwoods fell to their knees.

The mayor dropped his weapon.

Thomas covered his eyes.

And Victor…

Victor smiled.

“Finally.”

Elliot stared at him.

“What?”

Victor stood.

“The key has awakened.”

Elliot’s eyes began glowing.

Clara stepped backward.

“Elliot?”

He looked at her.

But his voice was no longer his own.

“Clara…”

She froze.

“Yes?”

He smiled.

“Run.”

“Why?”

Elliot looked toward the underground staircase.

“Because…”

His voice became deeper.

“…I’m not Elliot anymore.”

The entire town shook.

The Heart beneath Willowmere awakened.

And far below…

Something ancient opened its eyes.

To Be Continued…