I took a step toward the door. Then another. I heard sharp gasps. Someone breathing hard. Close behind me. It took me a few seconds to realize it was Stephanie. Keeping my eyes on the head, I made my way into the dark corner. My heart started to pound as I bent down and reached for it with both hands. The black eye sockets stared up at me. Round, sad eyes. My hands trembled. I started to scoop it up. But it slipped out of my hands. And started to roll away. Stephanie let out a cry as the head rolled over the floor toward her. In the orange light from the lantern, I saw her frightened expression. I saw that she was frozen there. The head rolled over the floor and bumped against her sneaker. It came to a stop inches in front of her. The empty black eye sockets stared up at her. “Duane—” she called, staring down at it, hands pressed against her cheeks. “I didn’t think—I didn’t really think we’d find it. I—I—” I hurried back across the room. It’s my turn to be the brave one, I decided.
