Veline

I had plenty of time to consider Mathis on the long trek to Beddinton. I’d never met someone so evil and conniving.

How could someone possibly become that?

“What did he say to you?” I blurted.

Bethanie gave me a fast look. “What?”

“In the Wash Room. Right before we left. What did he say to you?”

She looked at me and for the merest moment I’d have sworn her eyes turned even darker. Shining as they flooded with tears again.

Whatever it is. It’s too much for her to repeat.

“I couldn’t describe it to you.” She said in her rough voice. “It’s something you’d have to know to understand.”

What the Hell does that mean? I didn’t want to know.

***

We somehow made it to Beddinton before the early hours of the morning.

I was jumping at the sound of every rustle. Wondering if some dreadful creature was going to take a bite out of us, or worse, Mathis had changed his mind and come for us.

I saw the edge of Beddinton. Where rock walls bordered the road into the village. Signalling that yo