Chapter 12
Canada, Twenty-Eight Years Ago
As Noshi left the cave, snow crunched under his boots. The boy counted his father’s steps until he could no longer hear them. Hours passed. Chepi tended her injured son, now and again cooing or singing to him.
The caw of a lone raven and the harsh breathing of his injured twin brother were the only sounds the boy could discern. Sheshebens issued faster, more ragged breaths. Blood dribbled in a dark line from his ear down the side of his face and clotted against his neck.
“Mommy, is he gonna be okay? Is he?” the boy cried.
“Don’t worry. Come closer.”
Chepi cradled Sheshebens on her lap and threw one comforting arm over the boy who curled tight against her sobbing. “Shhhh. Shhhh. It’ll be all right,” she said to him. “Daddy will be back soon wi
