He blamed the sweltering space for the beads of sweat that bristled across his neck. At the next approach, his upright prison would be in their direct path. Two of the massive swinging axes crossed each other on their sweeping pattern with the merest of contact. Outside, a swish and then a muted screech overhead pricked Ian’s ears, a warning that his timing might have been off. Metal slid outside the wooden box, scratching the surface like an animal struggling to get to its prey. An itch caused him to twitch his nose and clench his teeth, willing the sneeze to stay at bay. The door shut so close to his face that the heat from his breath bounced back carrying a whiff of sawdust with it. Ian dropped his arms, took a step back, and wedged himself into the upright crate.

When we close our eyes, the illusion is that we are safe. A crushing weight fueled by ancestors’ dreams-hopes-fears.Ī simple path born as a dewdrop centuries before but by the time I appeared, had grown into a torrential river with a momentum like none other. The wind at my back and the breeze across my cheekĪn erosive burden that suffocates what could be for the sake of what should. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.īook Layout © 2014 Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission. Copyright © 2014 by CrossWinds PublishingĪll rights reserved.

Fade To Black by Sue Duff