Page 43 of A Silence So Divine

My body pleads for rest, but I block it out. Imustkeep moving.

Eyes downcast, I dodge roots and rocks that protrude from the ground. In the edge of my vision, something moves. Something large. Whipping my head to the side, adrenaline zips through my limbs, urging me to flee. I raise a foot, prepared to run, but then I go perfectly still.

It’s a deer. Long neck bent down, the animal grazes, meandering slowly in my direction. It’s beautiful. A caramel colored coat glints in the light, a tuft of white on its backside swaying happily. All alone, the deer is completely at peace.

Cautiously, I lower the pillowcase to the grass.

“Keep moving.”

Papa’s command falls on deaf ears.

I’d only ever seen them in books, and photos don’t capture their grace. In awe, I take one step closer. The crunch of a leaf beneath my shoe may as well be a bomb, breaking the serene silence. I cringe, waiting for the deer to flee. Instead, he or she lifts their head and looks directly at me. A soundless gasp escapes my lips. Round black eyes blink slowly, seeing me as I see them.

My wonder rises to elation when the animal moves toward me, just as slowly as I was. A smile breaks over my face and I stay rooted to the spot, breathing as shallow as I can. Inch by inch, the deer comes closer. Cautiously, I raise a hand. It’s ears twitch, turning this way and that. Its eyes flicker behind me, but I pay no mind. So, so close.

Two of my fingers graze coarse hair. The deer takes off. My smile slips, and before I can lower my arm, pain explodes in the back of my head.

I hit the forest floor with a dull thud. Black swarms my vision, and just before I lose consciousness, I watch the flash of a white tail as the animal escapes.

Eighteen

Cecil

The creak of door hinges wakes me in an instant. Sitting up on my elbows, I lock eyes with my brother. Still mussed from sleep, his pajamas are wrinkled and his hair sticks straight out from his forehead. But it’s his face I notice most—white as a sheet, eyes wide.

“What is it?” I ask aloud. Tossing the covers aside, I jump to my feet.

“She’s gone.”His signs lag like it pains him to admit it.

A frown mars my face. I would have heard if somebody had come into the house.

Creed must read the doubt on my face. He squeezes his eyes shut before raising his hands again.

“Sheleft,”he elaborates. I simply blink in response. Where would she have gone? And why? Eden is terrified of most things, and with what happened—

Oh,God.

I rush past my brother, heading straight for Eden’s room. The door is already open when I barge in, whirling around as I take in the state of it. Odds and ends on the dresser have beenknocked over, and clothes are strewn on the floor. Not much is missing, appearing more like she rifled through things.

But her sketchbook is nowhere in sight.

I feel like I’m going to be sick.

Creed is waiting in the hallway when I step out, and he looks at me expectantly. For the first time in my life, I’m not sure what to tell him.

Palming the back of my neck, I look around the hallway as if the universe will write a message on the walls, giving me direction.

I can go looking, but someone else might have already stumbled upon her. Curran said they’ve got men scouring the land that surrounds this place. Maybe she didn’t get far…

I take a step past him, but my brother places a palm on my shoulder and forces me to a stop.

“What are we going to do?”

My brows draw inward.“You stay—”

“No! You need my help.”

“There are more Brothers than ever. It’s never been this bad, Creed. You can’t come.”