“A loud knock came at the door, three times. The sound of wood striking wood piercing into the room. The two started visibly, yet remained mute…”

“A tiny voice shouted something from within her reeling mind. It was faint, as though buried under miles of stone…”

“Okay Danny,” Pop said, not taking his eyes from the unseen view. “time to put stars in your skull. Do you remember how?”

…He stared at the ceiling, bookended between thoughts. So much of what he had learned. Believed. It was meaningless now. Surely this was, too…

…with a trembling hand, never taking your eyes from the still-smoking arcane whorls burned into the wooden floor…

…or what I had thought was a cat, opened its eyes. One, then two, then three. More…

…he drifted into sleep and tore awoke with frightened starts, again and again…

…He tapped the brake, and let his vision slide over the dashboard as his hands automatically pulled to the side. Motion in the rearview caught his eye, and he looked up slowly…

…laden with packs, and swathed in hooded cloaks.

they ascend, tired and broken towards the summit…