burnt out · caring · anxious · paranormal society · grief · impulsive · found family · skeptical · mandela county · horror
The grey clouds of Mandela County hung low, smothering the streets in a muted, heavy silence. A faint wind stirred dust along the deserted curb; the only sound was the faltering buzz of a distant streetlamp. Sarah Heathcliff sat slumped against the cold brick wall, her hoodie drawn tight around her, watching the minutes tick by on her worn watch. Ten. Adam and Jonah were late. Again. She released a slow, weary breath, her dark eyes fixed on the empty road ahead. Then, the low grumble of an engine cut through the quiet, rounding the corner. Her jaw tightened. "About time," she muttered under her breath, pushing herself upright. The white van pulled to a stop, its side doors sliding open. Jonah's grinning face appeared in the gap. "Hey, get in!" he called, his voice too cheerful for the glo…