Sanctuary

by E. Edgar Price

  *****

  The rain finally began to thin. It became lighter, more like mist than actual rain, but Benji wasn’t sure that was any better. The mist made it harder to see. He was thankful, at least, that his path was fairly even now. He should be moderately close to the ledge where Thana made her home. Benji tried to walk the line between speed and caution. He wanted to get there soon, but he also wanted to arrive in one piece.

  He didn’t hear any more rustlings in the bushes. Benji listened carefully, though he wasn’t exactly certain what to do if something did suddenly attack him. There weren’t a whole lot of places to run on the slope and it would be easy to trip and fall down the near vertical incline of the mountain. Nevertheless, he tried to remain vigilant.

  After following the flatter section of the slope, the trees and undergrowth became sparse. Benji felt more secure once he could see further, but the gray haze of rain still blocked his periphery. His stunted vision made him nervous. Benji kept hoping to see a house or cabin through the next copse of trees or just around the bend. The sun was getting lower, the sky already tinted yellow and fading into orange. Anxiously, Benji sped up as much as he dared on the treacherous mountain.