“Maybe somebody from the party?” Emily said.
Nathan’s jaw tightened.
“Nathan.”
“Hold on,” he said.
That was all.
Not a scream.
Not a panic.
Just two words, low and hard, and suddenly Emily understood that her husband had seen something she had not.
The road outside Mount Pleasant narrowed where dark pines crowded the shoulder and black water ditches ran along both sides.
Rain hit the windshield fast enough that the wipers could barely keep up.
Nathan sped up.
So did the truck.
The first hit was hard enough to throw Emily forward against the seat belt.
Nathan cursed and fought the wheel.
“What is he doing?” Emily cried.
The second impact came before Nathan could answer.
The car spun sideways.
The third hit crushed the driver’s side like paper.
Emily heard metal scream.
She heard herself gasp.
She heard Nathan say her name.
“Emily—”
Then everything became glass, thunder, and silence.
