For a second, there was only silence. Then, a low, rhythmic thud echoed from inside the house, like a heavy heartbeat. The front door groaned open an inch. Leo didn't wait. He spun around and bolted.
Leo doubled over, clutching his knees. Maya ran up to him, her face pale. "Leo, your jacket!" casada chase teen
But this wasn't a normal run. As he hit the grass, the air behind him grew impossibly cold. He heard the distinct sound of boots hitting the earth—heavy, purposeful, and fast. Every time Leo pushed his pace, the footsteps behind him quickened. He glanced back and saw nothing but a swirling mist, yet the sound was deafening, like a predator closing in. For a second, there was only silence