The sun began to sink. The humidity was quickly replaced by a chilly breeze. Leaves swirled around in small currents and moved among the trees.

​

In a dried out riverbed, Cloyce had collapsed and taken an impromptu nap. After he had run away from the Wilts’ house and away from that monster, he had tripped into the riverbed. He had stayed there all afternoon, his thoughts bouncing around in his head like scrambled eggs. He hadn’t planned on taking a nap, but after several restless nights away from his cousin and a real bed, the dirt floor of the riverbed had seemed softer than the plushiest pillow.