Chapter 37 : Home, to the Village

Brandt didn’t stop running, not even once, until we reached Jared’s village. The Dark Forest passed us in a blur of shadow and rain. Maybe he felt the same crushing weight I felt as the trees whispered and rattled, maybe he saw the same shadows that lingered in the darkness, little flecks of light dancing against the tree trunks, like stars… or eyes.

We were never alone in the Dark Forest. Whatever else was there with us obviously didn’t think we were worth pursuing. Maybe those indescribable beings who called the forest their home sensed that we were rushing–broken, tired, and scared–and let us be.

I was thankful for it, and I was more than thankful to hear the sound of wind chimes rustling in the spring rain as we broke through the trees near the Healer’s cottage, the village rising in the distance.

Home–I felt it with overwhelming certainty.