The motel sat in the southeastern part of Karlsburg, near the edge of the Hollows. In the dim streetlights, with the icy wind off the Puckwudgie River winding through the streets, it seemed even worse. It wasn't the worst part of town, but it definitely lived next door to it. Jamie couldn't understand why her mother would be all the way out here, but it was the address Grandma Brown had given her.

The address also came with the instruction, "You tell that fool mother of yours that she needs to get her head out of her ass and get back home."

The room was at ground level with an outside entry, the blue paint on the door chipped and faded. Jamie recognized her mom's car in front of the motel room. The front passenger side window had been broken and clear plastic had been taped up...

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