Page 43 of Solivagant

“Was watching the pigs,” I responded.

“Mmhmm. Best not to be getting too attached to them, Jer.”

He was right. The pigs were hardly pets. They had a purpose on this farm, and for this village. I didn’t like it.

“Here,” Tobias placed a steaming bowl on the table in front of me. “Eat up, then we best head to the altar.”

I nodded.

“And Jeremiah?”

“Yeah?” I looked up into the familiar, kind eyes of my older brother.

“Wake up.”

I inhaled sharply, opening my eyes to darkness.

The air was stale, the lingering aroma of mint and a home-cooked meal twisting into dirt and damp wood.

I wasn’t outside this time. Moonlight illuminated the frame of a broken window, casting furniture as silhouettes that morphed into shadows. I could barely see directly in front of me. I reached for the knife strapped to my thigh, exhaling in relief as I held it in my hand.

A quick pat down of my pockets revealed I’d once again ditched the AirTag Tash had placed on me, though. And I didn’t have my phone.

Where the fuck was I?

Home.

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could make out the basic layout of the room, though trying to get to the door revealed there were debris and broken floorboards obstructing the path. Still, I managed, and my hand rested on the doorknob before I heard wood creak on the other side.

Footsteps.

I remained very still, barely even breathing as I listened. Whatever was out there was large. It shuffled around with uneasy steps, and wood creaked under its weight.

It stopped in front of the door.

I clenched the handle tight in one hand, and my hunting knife in the other.

Silence.

Seconds.

Minutes.

I dared to press my ear against the wood. The floor creaked softly under my shifting weight.

BANG.

My chest seized as whatever was outside slammed into the decaying door.

“He-help… m-me,” a distorted voice garbled.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

I darted backwards, tripping over something unseen and landing hard on my ass as I busted the already damaged floor further.

“Help me!” the voice said louder, banging and scratching frantically. “Something is out here. Let me inside.”

The voice was desperate. It was also familiar.