PREFACE They said she killed herself. Everyone was saying it. What started out as a rumor, quietly whispered among small gatherings of polite people, quickly grew into something that was openly discussed in large gatherings of impolite people. I was so sick of hearing them talk about it. They questioned me. Over and over again, trying to find out if I knew what had happened. But my answers didn't change. Yet it never failed--someone else would ask, as if one day my reply would suddenly be different. I didn't know, but I should have … and I've been haunted ever since. © 2009 Jessica Miller Excerpted from The Hollow by Jessica Verday All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.