Daniel pressed deeper into the depths of the jungle, his heartbeat pounding in his ears.Would they find him?He was not afraid of spirits when his mother and father were nearby, but they were far from him now. He had no idea where they were – he had no idea where he was.He prayed the sun would rise soon, casting golden beams of light across the tree-choked, mountain horizon.He knew spirits couldn’t get you in the light.The screaming became louder. Nearer. It swelled in Daniel’s ears, overpowering every other horror in the surrounding jungle. He shrank into himself, pinching his eyes shut. Clasping his arms around his knees, he froze into a tiny ball beneath the foliage. He scarcely dared breathe, lest they hear him. If he somehow came out of this, he would never run again, never. He’d face up to his troubles like a man.And his father would be proud.If he somehow came out of this.The screaming was directly overhead now.Wailing, Daniel sprang up. He ran blindly, rocketing through a labyrinth of leaves and vines until he burst into a small clearing at the edge of the jungle.
