Two: The Handcar

The handcar’s axle was made from strong hickory. Its rims were made from bent splits of white oak and cased in strips of iron that Pa had flattened at his forge. . . .

Three: The Great Towers

Pa hacked aside the overgrowth. Then he clanged the flat iron surface beneath with the blunt side of his hatchet. It was an old Merican signpost. . . .

Four: Restrant

Night after night, they camped hidden among the trees. Pa pulled the handcar off the old number road, into the cover of the woods. Then, they would find a clearing where they would make camp . . . .

Five: Two Nights Under One Roof

It was splendid to sleep indoors for a change. Their fire heated that old creetrock building right up, and Laura slept warm and cozy . . . .

Six: A Fine Watchdog

Laura’s eyes were full of tears. They couldn’t leave him, she pleaded. They just couldn’t . . . .

Eleven: Tobias Goatherd

Laura couldn’t sort out at first where her memories ended and where the dreams began. She remembered something stalking her. She could still feel it, icy on her skin, the terror of being treed by some unseen predator. . . .

Twelve: Happy Valley Orchards Restup and Reptilsoo

By the time Laura opened her eyes, morning had crept into the room. She sat up and worked her fingers through her hair. There, towards the back of her skull, she could feel a bump. It felt sore but only when Laura touched it. . . .

Thirteen: The Herald’s Shrine

Pa and Tobias Goatherd returned from the creek around midday. By then, Mary and Laura had recovered from their experience inside that eerie old building called the reptilsoo, and Laura felt a little foolish for getting so frightened of a silly old skull. . . .