Lahat ng Kabanata ng Spark: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 75

The next time, Gray would not be so kind. But that was the last thing on my mind today. I was hiding in the abandoned cot of a hayloft. Trying to suffer through the heat of another miserable afternoon. I didn’t dare sneak out to try to steal a bit of food from the main house until after dark. That won’t be for a while yet. So, sleeping through the afternoon was the best call. But I was finding that rather hard to manage. The heat was making my hair stick to my brow and shoulders in sopping strands. And sweat from my armpits made the oversized tunic I’d found in the loft stick to me. I could hear the stable boys below working. They had newer quarters built next door and no longer slept up here. So, despite the tremendous heat, I’d taken sanctuary here in the hopes of having some peace. But Craven had come. In the throes of my sweating sleep, I felt the first groping touch sliding over my belly an

The Present I banished all those painful memories. Bringing myself back to the present. Reminding myself that I was just about to escape my daunting past. Nearly a breath away now. I couldn’t believe we were turning onto the road in Center Country, aimed straight for the dock. Finally. We’re almost there! “Not much further now.” John Thomas reiterated. “We’ll be there before you know it.” I looked up at the sun. “We’ve just got to get there before him.” “We will.” But I wasn’t so sure. I knew Gray traveled faster in daylight. Because the others are sleeping. When he had to travel with the whole army it slowed him down. Alone, he races. He was the fastest hound I’d ever met. And I’ve met many. Gray was relentless. He rarely sleeps. When he has a scent he runs

I put my faith in John Thomas.I put my faith in the Captain of the Blaze.And I climbed onboard.Ready to go to Haven Island.The Blaze was a massive ship. The wood was polished darkly but had been worn in some places, to a lighter color, by the sun. Making it seem even more striking. The words along the front were done in emblazoned orange lettering with flecks of blue emerging as though it were afire.The figure head was a flame.Well-done.It was certainly unique.Making it easy for those seeking sanctuary to find.Yet, Dock Patrol had no excuse to stop the ship. For despite all the rumors that it harbored fugitives, they were unable to come up with a proper reason to stop it.Or so the lore tells.It was a formidable ship.The mast was tall and it was sleekly built with high rails.Making it both beautiful and fierce.I was duly intimidated and impressed.