“Sam – wait up!” The boys were running through the forest, playing a game of hide and seek. They grew up close to those woods, and knew them like the back of their hands. There was nothing to be afraid of, no dark, hidden spaces they hadn’t discovered during a long Summer afternoon, the sun guarding them from any sinister possibilities.

They took turns being “it,” the more delightful role of the two, as it gave each boy a chance to be bold and seek the others openly, rather than having to remain silent and still, a daunting task for a child not yet in double years. They didn’t mind too much about any of the other rules of the game, treating them more like suggestions. Traditionally, once the seeker found the hider, the roles reversed. However, Sam had no compunctions about running off, gleefully making the others give chase. He was fast, and an excellent hider, skills he’d apply having put some distance between himself and the rest of the crew, thus prolonging the round.

Sam dashed behind a tree with a trunk split in two, finding a very small hillock in the ground beyond. It was covered with lush green moss that draped over the opening, casting the inside in shadow that would provide perfect cover. He popped inside without hesitating, finding that the darkness within extended farther back than the outside size suggested. Less than a dozen steps inside the cave, the darkness was absolute and took on a not unpleasant, musty, earthy smell. Sam continued creeping in, lured by intangible curiosity that completely lacked the taint of fear. That is, until he smelled blood.