#Chapter 47 – Home again

“MAMAAAA!” I lurch to my feet out of a straight sleep when I hear my son’s voice calling to me. Edgar next to me shudders awake, though he manages to stay in bed. “What’s happening?” He murmurs, staring around bleerily. “They’re back,” I say, pulling a blanket around my shoulders and ducking out the door. From my vantage on the cabin’s short deck I see three figures walking in from the forest. I squint my eyes, trying to make out details. Disheveled, their t-shirts ripped – mud on their pants and boots – tiny scratches everywhere – and huge smiles on their faces. I exhale a big breath. They’re okay. They’re happy. “Boys!” I call, raising a hand to wave to them. At the sound of my voice, the boys start to run to me, though I can tell by their pace that they’re bone tired. I laugh, considering that of course they are after a night running through the woods. Victor doesn’t pick up the pace, but wanders leisurely behind them, his hands in his pockets. I can see that he is s