5
Thorne couldn’t breathe. He leapt over fallen trees and dug his fingers into the bark of the hagenias as he tried to claw his way to freedom from the ghosts that now chased him.
“I’ll be back soon.” A deep voice came out of the past and into Thorne’s heart and mind. Strong arms held him tight, and he was safe. Safe always in this man’s arms.
“Be careful,” the woman said. She smelled like flowers, and her laughter made him smile.
Screams. A black beast with silver on its back. Red mist . . .
“Please . . . Please leave us alone. We won’t tell anyone anything.”
Thorne came to a stop. His chest heaved as he leaned against a tree that was four times his body width. The ancient wood gave him support, but it could not stop the weight of the past.
“Please, we won’t tell anyone. My son’s o
