Dawn light filtered through the trees as Jenna Roland drove toward her family's orchard.

The crisp morning air carried the scent of fresh grass. Her fingers tightened around the steering wheel as concerns about the orchard's sales surfaced.

But the fruit wasn't ripe yet. Approaching potential buyers prematurely would seem unprofessional. She decided to wait until the first harvest was ready before arranging meetings with samples.

Her phone rang abruptly. The screen flashed "Stella Laurent." Jenna pulled over and answered.

"Stella, has your sister been discharged?"

"She left the hospital over a month ago. Her recovery is going well." Stella's voice sounded exhausted.

Jenna exhaled in relief—until a choked sob came through the line.

"But...we're not safe."

Jenna's brow furrowed. "What happened?"

"We've moved four times. Each time, Yvonne's people found us." Stella's voice trembled. "They leave dead rats...cats...even excrement at our door. We're losing our minds!"

Jenna's knuckles whitened around the phone. "Were you followed?"

"I don't know how they keep tracking us down." Desperation seeped into Stella's words.

Jenna's chest heaved. She hadn't imagined Yvonne would pursue them so relentlessly after what she'd already done to Sylvia.

"Where are you now?"

"Under a bridge..." Stella broke down weeping. "Last night we heard strange noises—it must be them! Jenna, please help us!"

Flames of anger ignited in Jenna's eyes. "Send me your location. I'm coming now."

She hung up and jerked the steering wheel around. Gravel crunched violently beneath the tires.

Two hours later, Jenna parked near a derelict bridge on the outskirts of town. She called Stella. "I'm here. Come out."

When two gaunt figures emerged from the shadows, Jenna barely recognized them. The once-vibrant sisters now resembled walking skeletons. Sylvia's face was ghostly pale, while Stella's cheekbones protruded sharply. Their clothes were soiled, hair matted with grease—they looked like homeless vagrants.

Jenna gripped the wheel until her nails bit into her palms.