22
The boy walked through the trees toward the cabin. He knew his uncle would be waiting. Uncle Russ had become more and more insistent lately about him leaving school so they could go on a hunting trip together.
The boy’s sneakered feet moved like lead. In the waking world, he knew none of this was real. He had simply closed his eyes for a brief nap, which was all he seemed to be able to manage these days. But the shadowed memories of the past were too strong.
He nearly jumped when his Uncle Russ suddenly appeared before him through the trees.
“Good. You’re finally here,” he said. His lips stretched in a sly grin. “I got you something.”
The boy’s stomach clenched. He had a very bad feeling about this...
His uncle chivvied him forward into the clearing where the cabin lay. “Go look i
