Kari Kilgore

In the Pines Kari Kilgore

A ghost train carries a murderous secret deep through the North Georgia mountains. Betrayal colder than the wind blowing through the pines.

A young girl with a burden a hundred years out of time.
An old man's tale of guilt and regret.
A heartbroken woman caught in a mystery only she can solve.
A boy long past living holds the key.

Can unearthed secrets end the nightmare at last?

An excerpt from In the Pines:
"But why are you out here?" Mary said. "Where did you come from?"

"Been sleeping in them pines. Got nowhere else I can go."

"Let's try again. Why are you in this dream? In this tent? I have no idea who you are."

The girl finally drew back enough for Mary to see her face. Her wide eyes were solid black in the flashlight's beam.

"Ain't been nothing warm out here for long as I can remember. Can't remember my name either. Been lookin' for my husband so long, never spoke to a living soul until you."

She froze, staring over Mary's shoulder, trembling harder by the second. She put her head down and wrapped her arms around Mary, squeezing tight.

"Train coming," the girl said, her voice urgent but getting lower and softer. "Longest train you ever saw. Devil driving that train, took my husband away with him. Been trying hard to take me but I hide."

Mary opened her mouth to ask what she was really hiding from when she heard a strange, ringing noise, gradually rising until it was louder than the wind.

She'd heard that metallic hum many times, but she couldn't possibly be hearing it on this mountain.

The singing of the rails, the distant sound of a fast train getting closer.