“Why can’t we come with you?” Thomas was confused by the separation from his mother and the man who meant more to him than his father.
“You have another purpose, Thomas; kiss me again - both of you.”
He stood with his back to one wall of The Temple, between two segments, where he could watch without being seen. There was a rifle already lodged in the gap with which to hold the world at bay. In his pocket, he fingered the book of matches.
The children - both in white robes - lowered themselves to the freezing, snow-covered earth and, as if not touched by it, began the long crawl towards the farmhouse. They were his messengers.
Carey heard the key turn in the lock. The door open. She expected Matthew. It
was Thomas. Across the basement, Tamar was opening Emily’s cell door.
“I am one, S
