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He’d run haphazardly, charging through the wilderness, branches slapping his face, no longer looking for fluttering pieces of red fabric—now red a thick haze over everything, rage fueling his stu steps

Halting, Jason realized he wasn’t sure when it had gotten dark He lifted his hands and found he still carried the rifle He stared at it, his nuers clenched around wood and metal

Maggie

Bright, beautiful Maggie That he would so a hollow, charred husk behind His baby

He’d once seen a piece of cheap art at TJ Maxx, one of those inspirational quotes mass-produced in China in pastel watercolors with a rainbow It had said so to have your heart living outside your body The truth in it had ie was absolutely his heart His everything

Now he recognized the horror of it The unending agony of his little girl gone

Faintly, Jason realized he was screa, collapsed on his knees in the dirt and leaves, hunched over the rifle He prayed he’d wake in Philly, alar the start of anotherto be back at his dead-end job, with Maggie waiting to be picked up at day camp

She’d stand on the sidewalk outside the YMCA, a newly created piece of art in her hand—an orange juice can covered in spray-paintedof mountains and lakes

Gulping, Jason choked on a sob His heart was gone, and he wasn’t going to survive

“No way”

Ben took a deep breath, trying to reet out of my way” They were in an exam rooot the all clear fro with me”

Dee gave hilare that Ben knew made most men quake in their boots “Except exhaustion, which can lead to fatal mistakes The search party will find Jason Kellerman And that cowardly piece of shit Harlan Brown”

“I’ with them”

“No, you’re sure not You look like hell”

Dee had been waiting at the hospital, where Maggie was now safe and sound and in good hands Ben had to find Jason “I’”

“They’re already out there Sun’s coht” She reached for his shoulder, but he dodged

“I pro to keep my word”