Chapter Twenty-Four“Hup, ho!” Achille said. He shoved the handle of the hatchet under his belt and picked up the thick rope. “It’s a beautiful day,” he said. “Let’s go for a little walk in the woods.” His voice sounded normal even though he felt like everything inside—his brain, his stomach, his heart—was shaking and on the point of breaking down.
Valerie got up and allowed him to tie the rope around her waist. “A walk in the woods,” she repeated.
“A walk in the woods, yes.”
She stood with her hands dangling down at her sides, watching him tie the ropes. She used to watch everything he did with such interest, her eyes so intelligent and curious. But no longer. She barely seemed to register that she saw anything at all. He led her out of the bunker and through the farmyard, heading for t
