The Scare Trail

Read the opening

Read an extract from The Scare Trail

Chapter One

Halloween Night

Rachel Morgan nearly cancelled three times before she finally picked up her car keys. The first time had been just after six, when rain began spotting the front window despite a forecast that had promised a dry evening, and the second came twenty minutes later, when Hannah sent a message reminding the group that nobody was allowed to back out. It was accompanied by three laughing faces and a photograph of herself wearing a plastic pumpkin bucket on her head. By the time Rachel stood in front of the hall mirror, wearing jeans, boots and her thick black coat, she was beginning to wonder why a thirty-eight-year-old woman had agreed to spend Halloween being chased through woodland by strangers in masks. She was reaching for the coat buttons when her phone rang, and Hannah’s name appeared on the screen.

“You’re not cancelling,” Hannah said immediately.

“I didn’t say I was.”

“I’ve known you since we were fourteen,” Hannah continued. “I can tell when you’re looking for an excuse.”

Rachel let her hand fall from the coat buttons and looked at her own doubtful expression in the mirror.

“I hate these places.”

“I know you do, but that’s half the reason I wanted you to come. You spend too much time worrying about what might happen.”

“That’s because things do happen, Hannah. People trip over roots, get knocked into things, and I’m supposed to enjoy strangers jumping out at me in the dark.”

“You’ll be fine. Stay close to me and if anything happens, I’ll protect you.”

Rachel gave a quiet laugh. “That’s not as reassuring as you think it is.”