THE THREE TIMES WRITTEN IN BLUE INK

The rain was a solid sheet of ice hitting our faces.

We ran toward the thick tree line at the edge of the property. The mud sucked at our shoes, threatening to pull us down with every step.

“Keep going, Owen,” I urged, my lungs burning. “Don’t look back.”

We reached the cover of the trees just as the back porch light clicked on.

I ducked behind a massive pine tree, pulling Owen tightly against my chest. He was shivering violently, his small arms wrapped around my waist.

“I’m scared, Mom,” he cried softly into my wet coat.

“I know, baby. I know. But we’re going to be okay.”

I peeked around the bark of the tree.

Nathan was standing on the back porch. The rain plastered his hair to his forehead. In his hand, he held a long, heavy hunting rifle.

“Claire!” he yelled into the dark woods. His voice carried a chilling sweetness. “Come back inside! You’re going to catch a cold!”

I squeezed my eyes shut, holding my breath.

“You can’t run from this, Claire!” he shouted. “The paperwork is already filed. If you just cooperate, it will be quick. If you make me hunt you... I won’t be as kind.”

He stepped off the porch, shining a high-powered flashlight into the woods. The beam swept across the trees, coming closer and closer to where we were hiding.

I reached into my pocket. My hand closed around the heavy silver rosary Judith had given me earlier.

I needed a distraction.

I hurled the rosary as hard as I could into the bushes about thirty yards to our left.

The heavy metal clattered against the rocks.

Nathan whipped the flashlight toward the sound. “There!” he shouted to the other man.

They both ran toward the bushes.

“Now,” I whispered to Owen.

We broke cover and ran toward my car parked near the front gate.

I unlocked the doors with the remote. We scrambled inside. I slammed the lock button and jammed the key into the ignition.

The engine roared to life.

I threw it in reverse, spinning the tires in the mud, before slamming it into drive.

As the headlights illuminated the driveway, Nathan stepped out from the trees.