Booktree.ng_Forgotten-Witness

Just then Emily shuddered and her knees buckled. She
started to fall. Above them the sun disappeared behind a cloud
and shadow rolled over them. Josie tried to lower Emily but
she was dead weight and collapsed on to the dirt and on to her
knees. Her face went into her hands. Her body jerked and Josie
– strong as she was – could not hold her, raise her, or comfort
her. She sure as heck couldn’t get her back to the house.
“I’ll get help. Stay there. Stay there.”
Josie shot off the ground and ran back the way they had
come leaving her mother alone under an ever-darkening sky.
***
Emily Bates knelt in the dirt with her face in her hands. If she
didn’t look, she was safe. If she didn’t cry, she was safe. If she
couldn’t be seen she was safe, so Emily made herself a small
thing in the big forest. Time past, but she didn’t know how
much. Fear paralyzed her, but she had no concept of what fear
was.
So Emily didn’t understand what was happening when a
man got down on one knee in front of her. He took hold of her
hands and tried to move them away from her face. He was
strong but still it was difficult to move her. It was as if her
hands were made of steel. That’s what she believed. But if she
was made of steel, he was made of something stronger because
he forced her hands to her side.
She stared ahead but didn’t see him. Emily heard the wind
but not the snort of curiosity from the man. He couldn’t
believe she didn’t react when he got close. Not that it
mattered. He knew what to do.
He put one hand on her forehead and gently rubbed the
space between her brows with his thumb. He cooed and
rubbed. He was surprisingly patient. When the trembling
subsided, he put her on her feet and turned her.