Ella’s heart pounded as she climbed onto the thick branch and pulled herself along it until she could stand. The branches were slick from the unusual snowfall. Forcing herself to focus on what she was doing, she worked her way to the trunk of the tree. She had just made it when she heard a savage snarl. Turning, she swallowed when she saw Abe lean out of the window through which she had exited just minutes before.
Ella slid around to the other side of the tree and began working her way down. Her hopes that Abe wouldn’t hear or see her were dashed when he snarled again. She had descended a little over ten feet when the branches above her shook. Glancing up, she saw the massive, black form of the beast gripping the branch.
Fear gave her the adrenaline she needed to overcome her panic. Her
