Ruled By Fear Read Free Page A

cave near Davis Creek?”
         “No,” Aaron answered, “I had managed to forget about that up until now.  That’s one incident I don’t enjoy revisiting.”
         “Oh, come on,” Keith said, “just ‘cause Pa was a little sore at you when we got home doesn’t mean the trip wasn’t worth remembering.”
         Aaron laughed at that remark.  “If Pa was only a little sore, than I’d have hated to see what would have happened if he’d been downright angry.”
         “Well, I thought the trip was great,” Keith said, “especially when that bear came along.  You know, I never was scared.  I knew you would protect us.”
         Aaron smiled softly as Keith continued.
         “I did everything you said on that trip and we made it home safe.  Must be nice being the oldest,” Keith continued thoughtfully, “getting to make all the decisions.”
         Aaron didn’t bother responding.  Despite his claims to have forgotten that trip he knew the memory of it would be with him forever.  Keith would never understand the responsibility that came with being the oldest.  Aaron had known, even back then, that if anything ever happened to his little brother while in his care, he would never forgive himself.  That cave had been far beyond the boundaries set for them by their father, and he’d been so scared that they wouldn’t find their way home again, scared his brother would fall, or get sick, or . . .  He shook his head to fight off the old feelings of guilt.  He and his little brother had always looked at the world from two different perspectives.
         It must be nice being the youngest—nobody to look out for but yourself.
         As the two brothers rested side by side, Aaron finally allowed himself to relax.  Their work was done, and in a few weeks he would be able to deliver his younger brother back safely to their father and, although he was actually enjoying his brother’s company, he would be glad to hand over that burden of responsibility.
         An hour later, Aaron and Keith lay wrapped in their blankets, close to the fire.  Keith had been asleep within moments, but Aaron was still wide awake.  His mind was always buzzing with information, memories, and new ideas.  His mind kept going back to some of the strange people they had met in town.  Like he’d told Keith, there was always some truth mixed in with every tale, and he wondered just what the truth was about this shortcut they had taken.  He yawned loudly and turning over on his side closed his eyes, willing sleep to come.  As his mind drifted slowly toward unconsciousness, he thought he heard a twig snap off in the distance and, at the same time, a strange smell filled his nostrils but, before he had a chance to react, sleep overcame him like a dark black curtain.
     
         Aaron woke slowly, the pounding in his head causing him to groan aloud.  He forced his eyes open, and it took several minutes for them to adjust to the gloom surrounding him.
         Where am I?
         The pieces started coming back one by one.  He’d followed Keith into the canyon, they’d camped near a creek, he’d had trouble falling asleep and then . . .
         That was where his memory failed him.  He had been knocked out, he was sure of it, but how and by whom, he had no idea.  Getting up, he surveyed his surroundings.  He was in a room, a very dark room.  It looked as if there had been a couple of windows at one point, but the glass had been taken out and heavy boards had been nailed in their place.  Still feeling groggy, he stumbled out of bed, trying hard to ignore the throbbing ache at his temples.  The icy cold floor alerted him to the fact that his boots were gone.  Looking down, he was startled to realize that someone had changed his clothes, and he self-consciously wrapped his arms over his middle.
         “Keith?” he called out, trying to see in the bit of dim light coming through a