Chapter 89

Outside, the insects and even animals of the night were loud, almost raucous. Usually these noises were a comfort to Hunter and helped him drift off to sleep. But tonight they had an edge of menace to them, as though they wanted to torment him. The wind was still. It had stopped raining. The air coming in through his window was heavy, moist. Hunter threw the sheet off. Even that was making him too hot. He tossed and turned, searching for a comfortable position, but that position was elusive.

Finally he simply lay on his back and stared up at the ceiling, telling himself that to try to fall asleep was the surest way to do the opposite. For now, he thought, he would just be grateful for the rest.

But he could only kid himself for so long. He got up and retrieved Never Look Awayfrom his dresser and lay back down in bed with the book, his nightstand lamp providing illumination.