The Truth He Refused to Hear
"Hey! What are you doing?!" Clara snapped, anger rising again.
Victor didn't answer her.
Light danced in his gold-colored eyes as the trees swayed above. Through the high pines, air moved slow, bringing smells of wet ground mixed with a trace of iron, like rusted things left deep under dirt. Shadows shook across his skin, slicing bold edges down the side of his face.
He looked calm.
Too calm.
Victor made up his mind, then faced the boy straight on. Closing the distance slowly, he stopped just short of standing level with him.
The child trembled.
Soft came Victor's words. A hush hung behind each one.
"Do you know that you're already dead?"
A heavy silence followed. The phrase cut deeper than expected.
Lane gasped. The world swayed under her shoes, though she hardly ever showed surprise. Staring at him, Clara froze - shock sparking in her pale purple gaze.
Dead?
The boy - Soren - froze.
