Rachel Ann and the boys met us in the yard, and, of course, they had to talk. Each peppered me with questions. At my sister’s mention of food, I realized I was hungry. The last time I could recall eating was yesterday before we boarded the train for Yanube City.
We all moved into the big house to hear my tale while I satisfied my stomach. It must have been an hour later that Ethan and I stepped outside to go deliver the caged pigeons to the cote in the outhouse. I had just reached the steps to the porch when I heard Gabe behind me.
“Uncle John, can I—”
As I turned to him, an angry bee sped by so close I felt the heat of its passing. Gab’s small body, thrown against the rock wall behind him, exploded in a gout of blood and sinew and torn clothing. Almost immediately came the roar of a ri
