Chapter Four

  I was jolted awake by the ‘dark being’ eating me alive…

  The dream had been so real that I almost screamed in terror. As my mind became more alert, the nightmare started to slip away from my memory. Somehow I knew remembering the details of it would be important. But, the harder I tried to hold on to the dream, the quicker it faded.

  Eventually, it slid beneath the surface of my awareness – lost forever.

  My heart was still pounding, when I reached out for Ember. But, she wasn’t there! I made some frantic move in an effort to get to my feet, desperate to find her. My body was bolted to the floor. I must have stayed in this same, uncomfortable position all night.

  Panicked, I quickly scanned the area until I found her. She was sitting on the rickety ledge of the window sill, staring through the cracked window pane.

  “Morning Little Girl, whatcha doing…”

  I tried to sound casual, like we do this every night of our lives. Ember didn’t respond to my question or look at me, either. I tried to hide my disappointment. Maybe, I was wrong last night when I thought she might come back to me.

  She hasn’t said one word the entire time we’ve been on the run. But, I don’t much blame her for retreating into silence after all the craziness.

  My sister has never been this quiet or still and I’m really starting to worry. I asked her another question, but she still didn’t answer me. Trying my best to hide my concern, I decided to pretend like everything’s normal.

  “We’re not gonna spend another night in this creepy old farmhouse, Little Girl. We’ll find a much nicer place for tonight…someplace with a couple of beds…and a radio, too…everything’s gonna be fine…” I promised her as I stretched and stood up.

  I knew I could keep the first promise – we’ll sleep in a warm, safe bed tonight. It was that last promise I wasn’t quite so sure about…

  The over-stuffed duffle bag must weigh a few thousand pounds, but I picked it up without any real effort. Taking Ember’s hand in mine, I opened the front door. Leading her outside, we stepped out into our future.

  Whatever that might be…

  Part 2

  “There is a price to pay for every decision made…

  And the devil always gets paid…”

  Seven years later…

 

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