Elizabeth trudged behind Ian, following him back toward the decrepit house, his childhood home.
Adniel did say the answers were at his old place.
She frowned as she stared at Ian’s back.
Was she imagining things or was he leaning weirdly to his right? “Ian?” She moved up next to him. “Are you all right?”
His body, already tilted toward the right, bent farther, and he dropped his head onto her shoulder.
“Ian?”
His legs crumpled.
“Ian!” Elizabeth tried to steady him, but he was too heavy for her. They tumbled to the ground.
His eyes were closed; his forehead glistened with perspiration.
She knelt beside him. “Ian.” She grabbed his shoulders. “Can you hear me?” She scanned his face and body, then gasped.
Ian’s unzipped black jacket had fallen open, revealing a four-inch tear on one
