PLEASANCE RESTED AGAINST a tree whose roots stood vertical, above the ground. She’d seen trees like it before. Alf had called it a Hala tree the first day they’d gone hiking. It had been a magical day, perfect in every way. The memory brought tears to her eyes and made her unutterably sad. Looking up, she saw nighttime sliding across the sky in the distance, muting the golden ball of the sun. It had only been that morning when they’d sat together, laughing and talking about the future.
A mere twelve hours that felt like a lifetime.
Sweat streamed from her hairline, stinging her eyes. Her tears washed the sting away. She slid a quick glance toward the man who held the other end of the restraining rope and saw he was still looking toward the tiny cabin above their heads. He’d been standing
