Chapter 42

Henry walked along a smooth red path that led him over the twisted roots of the tall, thick-trunked trees of this place. He tried to see into the forest on either side but the further inside he looked the less distinct the trees became. The sky above him, a narrow break in the forest canopy, was midnight-blue, the color of Dr. M’s robes. The stars of her robe burned above him.

Henry heard the wind keening in the trees. He could hear himself breathing. A curve and he was at the river. He stood at the edge of a dock, the water below his bare feet, and more stars over his head, and the river was wide and dark, and it whispered to him. Henry remembered what Dr. M had taught him and what they had practiced: that he could control what he did and where and how. He called then, and a canoe glided up, silver and white.