I knew that staying would only make matters worse and I gave one last look at Rook, then slipped out the back door, allowing the night to swath me within its darkness.
The woods were dark, and I only had the minimalist idea of where I was going. I had been here before, but only a few times with Torin or Rook, and I had a good sense of direction. So, I had to trust in what memory I held of the woods.
The sound of the bikes grew fainter as I pushed deeper into the foliage. I didn’t look back, I didn’t dare. All I could do was to hope Rook and his brothers would come out of this unscathed. But I couldn't help knowing I might never see some of them again.
The crunch of leaves underfoot was the only sound I made as I moved through the dense growth.
The unmistakable crack of a twig snapping
