Chapter 62

Chapter Sixty-Two

Sleep came easy for Connor, the relief and absolute calm of the blackness settling in deep seconds after his head came to rest against the mound.

In that instant where the waking world slid away, taking with it the oppressive, sulfur-laden air and the distant clicks of the the alien lizards, there was peace and happiness.

Memories of Drew’s screams and Rudy’s puffy, bloody evaporated.

And Connor dreamed.

He was on the river again, the cold, crystal blue water gliding beneath his canoe, his paddle making a soft splash as it dipped below the surface. Ripples distorted the bottom, warping the rocks and long, stalked plants.

Toshiko turned in the prow, black hair washing over sun-reddened shoulders. “You’ve been quiet.”

“I—I’ve been somewhere else.” Too far away for her to understand…

“Thinking of another girl? Sadie? Bingbing? You looking at skinny girls now?”

“I couldn’t be happier with anyone other than you.”