Claire runs faster. Heart beating louder than the drumming that surrounds her.
Shadows move closer, the drumming more insistent.
Eyes blur with tears, sweat stings her skin, their faces flash through her mind.
She stumbles.
Sprawled on the ground, 11 people surround her.
Shrouded in black, blood pours from their eyes.
They drum faster, her heart beats with them. Blood pours from her eyes.
One final beat of the drum and her heart – it ends.
Claire is wrapped in a cloak, the 11 wait.
She rises. A drum placed in her hands she beats a rhythm. 12 of them walk.
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alt="The Mannequin People by Michael J. Stiehl"
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>
sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)"
alt="Gator by Randall Andrews"
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alt="Rude Awakening by Richard Lau"
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sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)"
alt="136694 by S.F.J. Painter"
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>