jumping on a mouse. The boy fought bravely, but Carver lifted
him up like a child and carried him away into the darkness. I
heard the sound of someone falling to the ground. There was
no scream, but I knew what had happened. The poor boy had
been killed.
'I was young then. Only a year has passed, but I feel ten years
older. I've known great violence, and I've felt sad and alone since
then. There's no happiness in this valley, only darkness and death.'
When Lorna finished her story, it was getting late.
'You must go now,' she whispered. 'Wait a month before you
return. It's too dangerous.'
'But you may need me before that,' I said.
She pointed to a large white stone. 'You can see that stone
from the hill opposite. If I need you, I'll put a black cloth over the
stone.'
She hurried away through the trees, and I climbed down the
back of the waterfall.