As Marko made his way down the mountain, the parents began to panic.
They had one of the children.
And they knew exactly what would happen when Marko found out.
He didn't tolerate anyone taking children.
Marko stopped just outside the police station.
The front doors slowly opened.
Sheriff Steven, Sheriff Angie, and Sheriff Johnson stepped outside.
Wide smiles stretched across their faces.
"Hello, Marko," Sheriff Steven said. "Long time no see."
Marko stared at them without blinking.
"How long has it been?" Steven asked. "Five years in those mountains?"
Marko gave a cold smile.
"Yeah."
"Right after that little experiment you tried to do to me."
His smile disappeared.
"You told me to leave this place…"
"…but all you really did was create a monster."
He took one slow step forward.
"And now…"
"You're afraid of me."
The smiles instantly vanished.
For the first time, real fear appeared on the sheriffs' faces.
Marko quietly began to chant.
"Grass Man…"
"Grass Man…"
"Come…"
"Come…"
"Come…"
The wind howled through the town.
The trees bent as if something enormous was moving through the forest.
"Stop!" Sheriff Steven shouted.
Marko stopped chanting.
"I'll stop," he said calmly.
"But first…"
"Give me Allen."
Beneath the police station, Allen heard the chant echo through the cave.
Every parent around him froze.
Some trembled.
Others backed away from the glowing metal door.
Allen frowned.
Why are they scared?
No…
They were terrified.
Sheriff Angie unlocked Allen's restraints.
"You're lucky he's here," she whispered.
Allen looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
She sighed.
"He can only save a child once."
She opened the cell door.
"And you were the last."
Allen's heart sank.
When Allen stepped outside, Marko was waiting.
The sheriffs slowly backed away from him.
Allen looked at Marko.
He smiled.
But the smile didn't feel real.
His mind couldn't stop repeating Angie's words.
He can only save a child once.
What happens after that?
Marko looked toward the mountains.
Then back at the Sheriffs.
"I've got everyone."
"And now…"
"It's time to go."