Chapter 3Mountain Grove, Idaho
1955
Daniel snuck into the back of the church, shutting the door against a swirl of icy snow. Bradford Thorn stood at his podium, his face a bright shade of red, his voice booming. His mother Patricia sat in the front row, watching him with rapt eyes. Daniel settled on the edge of the last pew, smiling at old Mr. Brown, who deigned only to glare at him.
The wind howled outside, but Bradford’s voice rose above the gusts, echoing off the ceiling. The acoustics in the old church would have been perfect for a choir. Too bad it had been disbanded the year before in a fit of frustration and a surprisingly bloody fistfight.
“Brothers and Sisters, let us bow our heads and pray now…”
Daniel rested his chin against his chest, his numb fingers deep in his pockets.
