Fear of the animals he’d seen kept Sam under the trees for another hour, but under the trees the sunlight was watery if it made it through at all. The desire to feel it on his back was still strong. If anything it was stronger than ever. Without consciously deciding anything he started curving to the right, moving back towards open land.
When he reached the treeline he paused again, scared to step out but aching to feel the full strength of the sun. He stood there for several minutes, the conflict leaving him immobilised, before finally letting out a snort of laughter. What did it matter? He’d be dead in a few days anyway. If ever there was a time to take a risk, this was it.
He stepped out into the sunlight, ignoring the knot inside. Nothing happened. No wild animals came charg
