In unknown territory, he felt the
weight of unfriendly gaze following his progress.
On reaching the other side of the open meadow he glanced back,
and his own eyes widened.
He shuddered.
It had entered the open stretch, crouched near the wooded edge.
Now it dropped to the ground. Huge, misshapen, a travesty of a
man, it lay quietly, motionless on the ground. Though distant,
he knew it well.
The unseen companion!
Demo notched an arrow to his bow, felt the cool breeze on his
fevered face. He drew the bow to its limit, shook his head.
Too far! The arrow would not carry.
He waited, but the creature lay quiet.
"What want you?" he shouted. "Why do you follow me?"
Silence.
Finally, with a shrug, he turned, started once more on his way.
After a few steps he halted, looked back again.
It has disappeared! The broad expanse held now only boulders,
small shrubs. Lifeless, bare, no hint of motion, other than from
vagrant breeze.
Was it but a dream, an aberration in vision?
No! It was real. The bushes at the edge of the clearing were
moving, disturbed by the passage of . . . He knew not what. He
knew, though it had slipped into the brushes, it would return to
his trail. Whatever it be, their destinies were intertwined.
But days ago I knew only my Mother, Theresa and her family
well. And a few others but only to a small extent. Suddenly I
walk and talk with Gods, and Goddesses - yes, and with imps. And
I am followed by something, by a being unlike any other.
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