Sacrifice
THE LOWER PRIESTS LET loose the last of the bindings, and then they all turn their backs upon her and walk away. She is relieved by surviving the ritual when she expected to die, but there is something wrong. She is free, but now she feels a demonic presence in her womb. Her terror resurges as the world fades.
*****
* * * *
TOM IS ON A ROAD OF cobblestone, hidden in the now familiar mists that seem to come with this spirit quest stuff. In the distance, he sees movement. In the next few moments, he finds Veritasia, who kisses him with a hungry urgency, then they meet Vera, then Markus, and finally Charla. There is no sign of George or Sally. Tom had no doubt that they had perished in the vision quest.
*****
