Chapter 190

Henry floated up in the water.

When he surfaced, he was just off the shoreline of the docks, splashed by the waves. Charley and Dawn swam in front of him toward the access ladder on the side of the docks. Thom’s head popped up through the water behind him.

They made it through the Veil. Relief came over Henry.

Henry swam the rest of the way to the ladder and clambered up. Dawn and Charley stood in front of him, dripping water on the concrete docks. Thom climbed up behind them.

It was cold. The autumn night air on the water’s shore wrapped them in a chill in their dripping clothes.

There were no signs of Nekura. All was still except for the blustery breeze.

“I’m freezing,” Charley said. “Let’s get out of here!”

They ran back toward the truck in the enclave of containers.

Home. It was on Henry’s mind. It beckoned to him. Warm clothes. Full plates. Sweet sleep. No more nightmares. No more lullabies.

It started to rain. He was already wet from seawater, but the rain refused him warmth.

“We’re almost there,” Henry said. He pointed to the administrative building. The Fracas’ remains had disintegrated and washed away in the rain. “Come on!”

Henry turned around. Thom stood still.

Dawn turned around and stopped running. “Thom, what is it?”

He stood like a statue with his head hung. It felt like ages before he looked up. The strange silence was unsettling.

Charley and Henry walked back and stood next to Dawn.

“Dad?” Henry said, “are you alright?”

Thom pursed his lips. He looked up with an expression of pain.

“Thom, what’s going on?” Dawn said. Her voice was higher, more urgent.

“I’m sorry,” Thom said, “I have to do this.”

In the blink of an eye Thom held three arrows in a bow, parallel to the ground like a crossbow. The arrows were pointed at each one of them.