Chapter 31A light breeze sifted through the trench, slipped across Dave's forehead like a cool cloth.
"Go," he'd said. "Just go."
Kneeling in the dirt, he again pressed his fingers to Billy's throat, felt for his pulse. The beat was still there, the strong, steady rhythm just under the skin.
Alive; Billy Bristol was alive. About that, at least, Larry hadn't lied.
Billy was still unconscious, hadn't stirred since Dave had descended into the cleft...but he was alive. Poised at his side, Dave could see his chest rise and fall with the action of breath.
Alive.
Larry hadn't killed Billy; that much was a relief, anyway. That much was certain, perhaps the only certainty.
They were alone in the trench now, Dave and Billy. Just a few minutes before, Larry had climbed out, crossed the m
