My eyes fill with tears then, and I come up with nothing. He’s right, of course – we are beyond all of this – we’ve had these talks. And if we do die here – And god damnit, but I’m determined to live – but – If we do die. He’s right. I want to go with my arms around him, full of the knowledge that
It’s a subdued night that evening by the fire. The ghosts don’t bother us, or perhaps they’re not here to bother us – perhaps they live in a different part of the forest. But either way, the four of us are alone as we sit by the fire, eating our little dinner in silence. The boys glance between us,
But tonight – damn, but it’s a vivid dream. The dream world around me, for all purposes, looks precisely like the tent which I had set up only a few hours before. Except, it’s light with a bright golden light, like noon sun. And filled with fog, like we’re sitting in clouds.Not a breath of me is fr
“Come on, mama,” Alvin says, tugging at my hand and leading me towards the broken-down old house.“Alvin,” I hiss, pulling him back. “We can’t go in there – it’s a ruin –“He frowns at me, confused. “Mama,” he says, “the forest brought us to this house. Don’t you think it wants us to go in?”I screw
And the table…Alvin’s already at it, slavering over what he sees there, and I admit that my mouth falls open when I see it. Everything I could want for breakfast, everything meal I’ve ever enjoyed, is here. I marvel, reaching out and picking up a blueberry muffin that I swear – I swear – is identi
“Come on, Papa!” Ian shouts, grabbing his father’s hand and tugging him out towards the forest. “Ian,” Victor scolds, digging in his feet and refusing to be pulled forward without a plan. “Come on, you know better than this. A good soldier isn’t going into those woods without a plan.”Ian frowns at
Victor follows his pointed finger upwards, looking into the dawn sky. He blinks, surprised at what he sees there. The moon, full and rich, white and pale against the blue sky. Victor’s first reaction is simply to admire it – it’s a beautiful sight, and so rare to see the moon during the day. But…
“Oh my god,” I moan, letting my head fall back against the wooden chair as I slowly chew the last bite of the muffin that I’ve crammed into my mouth. “It is so delicious. I can’t stand it.”“Yeah!” I hear Alvin agree, even though my eyes are pressed shut. “Way better than a stinking granola bar.”I