ribs was a dull

o do so

in Oakhaven, the next town over

hone – Dad had smashed min

her, my v

rd me, she s

what did he

Willow, small but fierce, was at the wheel. My uncles, Mark and Ben,

thless hide out here!" Grandma Wil

of the car, waving

? You think you can beat my grandson

nked her, the

the porch. He look

nything to Gran

s face, and said, "Willow. Come inside the Pioneer's Home wi

ted. My uncles

d? I'm here t

," Dad said, his voice smoot

my mother see

look after Ethan. Bandage him up. We

's Home, that squat, windowless log

hen. They were gentle, cleaning my cuts, th

here, Ethan," Mark said. "

n stay with us. Ma

er of hope. Ma

kitchen d

ere. Her face was pale,

towards m

a word, she

h my head with a

d my eyes. I fell si

ct, she hit me aga

, confused, blood tr

d forward. "Ma, w

voice a low snarl. "He

thing to them, too

concern vanished, replace

nd hauled me to my feet, then force

ce cold. "Hit him hard. If Sarah knew,

his face contorted. "This f

ow raised he

ry and lock up an old woman with a war hero for a husband." She always wore Gran

w how long

er the pain,

utside, by

dark.

was tearin

at the blood-soaked

to my head. It came away stick

mpering, and stumbl

re make too

eing disturbed wh