Part 24

David was silent.

He didn't now if he was allowed to talk, and if he was, he had no idea what he was supposed to say.

The thing that the stranger held in his hand was most certainly a skull. He also had no doubt that the skull was a child's... the size of the thing had drawn icy fingers across David's spine since he'd first seen it.

But what now?

It was Thule that broke the awkward, eerie silence.

"The Lord of the Rune spoke to me. He told me of a mountain of forgotten children.. screaming from their graves. But not where... not how... not why. These, I had to piece together on my own."

"Who are they?" David asked.

"Sacrifices," said Thule. "Sacrifices to the darkness that sustains this place. A demon, I think... though it could be some lesser thing. Or greater."

"I haven't seen any demons."

"You are but a child, and a foolish one at that. What do you know of such beings? Nothing. Although I fear you will soon know much indeed. Now you will tell me why you were on the Hill where I found you. Why were you there, boy?"

"I..." David fell silent again. The voice had told him not to tell anyone. But then, the voice had sent him to the Hill where it must have known the stranger would be waiting. Why would it do that? He was looking for a name, not a man... unless...

"What's HIS name," David said, pointing at the skull.

Thule looked at him, considering.

"I do not know, boy, but what makes you seek it? Not mere curiosity."

"Okay," David sighed. "It's supposed to be a secret, but I think I was supposed to find you... so that you can find his name." He indicated the skull once more. He followed this with the rest of the story, from the colors in the barn to the strange party at the house, and finally his escape at the prompting of a voice from under a drunken man's chair. It sounded ridiculous when he said it all aloud, and he was expecting the stranger to laugh or hit him for being stupid. But he didn't. The stranger listened, frowning deeper with every phrase David spoke. At the end, it was clear that Thule not only believed him, but was disturbed by it. And angered.

But he didn't seem angry at HIM, so David felt safe for the moment.

"What does it mean?" David said when he finished the telling.

"Mean? It means you were not meant to live through this night, boy."