Hanging by a Thread

Butcher jerked his head up, a chill running down his spine.

A girl in black sat quietly in the tree. When he looked up, she smiled faintly at him through the dappled shadows and raised a hand.

Elara said, "Hey."

The next second, her smile was gone as she leapt down in one smooth motion.

Butcher felt something like a thread coil around his neck. The moment he moved, blood welled up.

Elara said, "Tr