Chapter 4

The pigsty was a small, muddy enclosure with a low, three-sided shelter.

My leg was definitely broken. The pain was a living thing.

Days blurred.

Sometimes Tom or Billy would bring a bucket of water and a piece of bread. They wouldn't meet my eyes.

I think I was there for a week. Maybe more.

Then, one afternoon, a shiny black truck I didn't recognize pulled up the drive.

An old man got out. Tall, lean, with a hard, weathered face.

My grandfather. Arthur Thorne. Dad's father.

He hadn't been to Redwood Creek in years. He and Dad... they didn't get along.

Grandpa Arthur was a war hero. Medal of Honor, Korea. He didn't talk about it, but everyone knew.

He walked straight to the pigsty.

His eyes, sharp and blue, took in the scene. Me, lying in the filth, my leg swollen and purple.

His face tightened.

"Jedidiah!" His voice was like a drill sergeant's.

Dad came out of the house, a look of surprise on his face.

"Father. What are you doing here?"

"What in God's name have you done to this boy?" Grandpa Arthur's voice was dangerously quiet.

Dad started to speak. "He's unwell, Father. He..."

"Unwell?" Grandpa Arthur gestured at me. "He's half-dead, you damn fool!"

He turned back to me. His eyes softened a little.

"Ethan. I'm getting you out of here."

He produced a pair of bolt cutters from his truck and snapped the lock on the gate.

He helped me out, his hands surprisingly gentle.

"We're going to a hospital. Then you're coming with me. And Jed," he looked at my father, his eyes like ice, "I'm not setting foot in that damned Pioneer's Home. Not now, not ever. You hear me?"

Dad just nodded, his face unreadable.

That night, for the first time in what felt like forever, I slept in a clean bed in the guest room. Grandpa Arthur had cleaned and splinted my leg as best he could. He said we'd go to the Oakhaven clinic in the morning.

I actually felt a sliver of hope.

The next morning, I woke to voices.

Dad's, and Grandpa Arthur's.

Arguing.

Then, Dad's voice, smooth, persuasive. "Just once, Father. For clarity. Then you can take him. I promise."

A long silence.

Then, Grandpa Arthur's reluctant, "Alright, Jed. But make it quick."

My blood ran cold.

I dragged myself out of bed, my leg screaming in protest.

I got to the window just in time to see Dad and Grandpa Arthur walking towards the Pioneer's Home.

No. Not him too.

I waited. It felt like an eternity.

They came out.

Grandpa Arthur's face... it was like all the others.

Cold. Hard. Full of disgust.

He walked back to the house, Dad a step behind him. Tom and Billy joined them on the porch.

They all looked at me, standing in the guest room window.

Like I was something to be exterminated.

A primal scream ripped from my throat.

"What is in there?!" I shrieked, banging on the windowpane. "What did you show him? Just tell me! Let me see! I want to see!"

Dad looked at Grandpa. Grandpa nodded slowly.

Dad turned to me, a grim smile on his face.

"Alright, Ethan. You want to see? You'll see."