---

It all happened so suddenly. Barely had Frank opened his eyes when the man moved forward with Mary still in his arms, into the sun beyond the fringes of the trees, into the mass of Wuckers that lay beyond them.

Holding Mary tight with one arm, Shaw pulled a gun with the other, aimed high and shot over the head of the Wuckers.

There were shouts and threats. Then return shots rang out, and Mary and Shaw fell to the ground.

Frank’s legs crumpled, and he slid down the tree.

His chest felt as if it were about to burst open as pain exploded in him. He pressed his face to the rough bark of the tree, feeling the ridges branding his face with new lines. He pressed until it hurt, to distract him from the pain in his chest.