The Sacrifice of Willowbrook

By Emily Harper

The Sacrifice of Willowbrook

Four friends—Sam, Ethan, Liv, and Isaac—are chosen to confront an ancient evil that has plagued their small town of Willowbrook for generations. The malevolent force, known as the Hollow Ones, demands the sacrifice of a child every 50 years to maintain their dark power.

As the summer solstice approaches, the friends discover that they each possess unique abilities linked to mysterious artifacts found within a hidden cave system. Guided by the enigmatic Dr. Liam Caldwell, an expert on Willowbrook's dark history, they begin to uncover the shocking truth behind the town's sacrificial pact and their own roles in the unfolding horror.

Determined to break the cycle of terror, Sam and her friends must navigate a treacherous web of secrets, betrayals, and supernatural threats, all while their personal lives and relationships are put to the test. Each of them is forced to confront their deepest fears as the influence of the Hollow Ones grows stronger, turning the once-peaceful town into a living nightmare.

In a race against time, they must uncover the key to stopping the impending sacrifice and ending the Hollow Ones' reign of terror. But as the final confrontation looms, a shocking revelation threatens to tear the group apart and rewrite everything they thought they knew about Willowbrook's past.

The Sacrifice of Willowbrook is a chilling tale of friendship, courage, and the power of sacrifice in the face of unspeakable evil. It is a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, as the chosen ones battle not only the malevolent forces that threaten their town but also the darkness within themselves.

Will they be able to break the cycle and save Willowbrook from its haunting past, or will they succumb to the same fate as the generations before them? The answer lies in the heart of the town's darkest secrets and the strength of their unbreakable bond.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nebula Nova Publishing
• Release date: Mar 29, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224370856

Book preview

The Sacrifice of Willowbrook

The Whispers of the Past and the Heroes of the Future

Emily Harper

Copyright © March 2024 by Emily Harper

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Contents

1.The Discovery

2.Awakening

3.Secrets Unbound

4.Whispers in the Dark

5.The Gathering Storm

6.Trials and Tribulations

7.The Darkest Hour

8.The Final Sacrifice

9.A New Dawn

10.Echoes of the Past

Chapter one

The Discovery

As the sun descended towards the horizon, its fading rays cast an eerie orange glow over the dense forest that surrounded the small town of Willowbrook. Samantha Sam Bennett, a fifteen-year-old girl with an insatiable curiosity and a thirst for adventure, led her three closest friends deeper into the heart of the woods. The air was heavy with the earthy scent of moss and damp leaves, and the only sounds were the occasional snapping of twigs beneath their feet and the distant calls of birds settling in for the night.

Sam’s hazel eyes sparkled with excitement as she forged ahead, her chestnut hair tied back in a messy ponytail. She had always been the daring one, the girl who couldn’t resist a good mystery or a challenge. It was what had drawn her to the whispered rumors of the hidden cave system, tales the older generations had passed that down in town.

Behind her, Ethan Parker, a tall and athletic boy with a mop of sandy blond hair, kept a vigilant watch on their surroundings. He was the skeptic of the group, always questioning and doubting, but loyal to his friends. Sam, are you certain about this? he asked, his voice tinged with concern. We’ve been hiking for hours, and the light is fading fast.

Sam glanced back at him, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. Where’s your sense of adventure, Ethan? We’re close. I can feel it in my bones.

Olivia Liv Nguyen, the analytical one, furrowed her brow as she consulted the map on her phone. I don’t know, Sam. According to this, we should have reached the cave by now. Liv was the voice of reason, always thinking things through and considering every angle. Her dark eyes were filled with apprehension as she looked up at the darkening sky.

Isaac Torres, the peacemaker, placed a comforting hand on Liv’s shoulder. Hey, it’s alright. We’re in this together, aren’t we? He had a knack for diffusing tension with his serene smile and kind words. Besides, if anyone can find this cave, it’s Sam. She’s like a bloodhound for this stuff.

Sam couldn’t help but chuckle at that. It was true, she had always had a gift for finding things that others couldn’t. But as they delved deeper into the woods, she couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling that they were being watched. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and a shiver ran down her spine despite the warm evening air.

Liv let out a gasp. There! I see something! She pointed to a narrow gap between two massive oak trees, discernible in the fading light.

The group hurried forward, their hearts pounding with anticipation. As they drew closer, they realized the gap was the entrance to a cave, its jagged mouth yawning open like a gaping wound in the earth.

I can’t believe it, Ethan breathed, his eyes wide with astonishment. The stories were true.

Sam stepped forward, running her fingers over the rough stone surrounding the entrance. The rock was cold to the touch, and she could feel the dampness of the air wafting out from the depths of the cave. I wonder why no one’s ever mentioned this place before. You’d think someone would have stumbled across it by now.

Liv frowned, her mind already working to explain the anomaly. Maybe it’s because of all the stories about the woods being haunted. You know, the old legends about the Hollow Ones and the dark history of Willowbrook. People just steer clear of this total area.

Isaac shuddered, his usual affable grin fading a bit. I’ve heard those stories. They say the Hollow Ones are these ancient, malevolent spirits that feed on the souls of the living. That they’ve been lurking in the shadows of Willowbrook since the town was founded.

Sam felt a chill run down her spine at the mention of the Hollow Ones. The town’s dark past, the whispered tales of curses and sacrifices had always fascinated her. But she had never believed them until now.

As they made their way into the cave, the air grew colder and more oppressive. The walls were slick with moisture, and the sound of their footsteps echoed in the confined space. Sam led the way, following the faint glow that seemed to emanate from deep within the cave.

Do you guys see that? she asked, her voice above a whisper.

The others nodded, their eyes fixed on the eerie light. It was pulsing and shifting, like a living thing, and Sam felt drawn to it on the primal level.

The passage opened up into a larger chamber, and the group stood