Outbreaks of a rash had visited Haven Valley on a number of occasions, never with any clear explanation. Allergies, some said. Something in the air from the Fury, perhaps. No one seemed to know, but rashes had spread like wildfire and lasted for a few weeks before passing.

Evelyn was mixing up this incident with those outbreaks.

“No, honey, he wasn’t bitten,” I said, reaching out to touch her again.

“Don’t touch me!” she screamed. “This is all your fault!”

I yanked my hand back. Her words were like a slap across my face.

“We have to get him home and bathed now!” Evelyn yelled.

“He wasn’t bitten,” Megan echoed.

“He has to be stripped and bathed.” Evelyn itched her arm as if she’d been bitten herself. “They could be everywhere!”

I nodded at Megan and we quickly steered the three children back toward the Pierce house. We needed to get them home where they would at least feel safe.

Evelyn scratched at her skin the entire way.

Chapter
Fourteen

BEN SPLASHED COOL WATER OVER HIS FACE FROM THE faucet they’d found in a long-abandoned gas station, gripping the sink’s side for support. It was the kind of bathroom that required a key from the cashier inside, when it was in order. This one had no door.

He glanced up into the broken mirror. Seeing him, no one would be surprised to hear he was dying. He coughed into his hand and grimaced at the pain in his chest. His head was pounding. Blood speckled his hand when he pulled it away from his mouth. He placed it under the running water and watched the red wash down the sink.

Eli was in the truck waiting. If the boy saw the blood he might insist they stay the night somewhere close, or worse, go to a hospital. They were close now. One more long push and then he could rest.

The lyrics from “Carry On Wayward Son” hummed through his brain. He and Eli had heard the song half a dozen times over the last two days, as if it were playing just for them.

Yes, Ben thought, there will be peace when I’m done. But not yet.

He scooped water into the palm of his hand, swirled it around in his mouth, and spit it back into the sink. Turned the faucet off. It was a strange thing to know that once he completed this task there was nothing left for him.

His brain filled with images from the past. The time he’d first seen Julianna. Long blonde hair, golden-brown eyes, a world of excitement waiting to be explored in her smile. He’d been spellbound instantly.