Chapter Seven - Swoop
The little knobby-headed man moved all herky-jerky. Hopping and bobbing like he was dancing, but he was moving so fast it was more like running on little legs. Clay followed, just a few steps behind Lily, and couldn't help but giggle when the little man fell flat on his face.
Lily laughed aloud and dove forward, over a fallen log. He couldn't see her anymore, but he could hear her squeals of delight. It was real nice to hear her laugh, she didn't do that very much. Iris said Lily used to talk and laugh like a normal kid, but then Mama died and now she was so quiet.
Clay worried about her. He worried a lot though.
As he drew closer, his little four-year-old brow furrowed in consternation; Lily wasn't there. She had jumped right over the log where the little man fell, and she should be there, but as he climbed over the dead tree there was nothing there.
The little man was gone. Lily was gone.
Clay stood perched atop the fallen oak and stomped his foot.
"Lily? Lils? Where'd you go?" he raised his voice, shouting. "LIIILLLY! IRIS! IIIIIIIRISSSS!"
Heavy footsteps behind him came crashing closer and as he turned, a pair of strong arms swooped him up, hugging him so tight he couldn't breathe.
"Owie, stop it! You're hurting me!"
Clay pushed away, trying to look up at his captor. And he screamed.
Iris whirled at the sound of her baby brother's scream almost dropping the bundle she carried. Her dress was smeared with blood, her face was mottled with a web of tears, her eyes ringed red from crying.
Oh you Gods, what did you let them do to Janis? Why? she shook with tears, picking up her speed despite teetering on the brink of exhaustion. No amount of helping Pa slaughter the hogs could have prepared her for the horrors she found in their house.
Oh you Gods, she prayed again, following the sound of Clay's scream. Let Clay be okay, let Lily be okay. Bring Flint and Daisy and Jasper home safe. Oh you Gods... where is Pa?
Posted by Pheenie @ 9/03/2008 08:50:00 AM