Page 102 of A Boy Called Lovesong

The reverend rushed at me, but before he could grab me, I bolted for the grand staircase.

I needed my suitcase…

The evidence against the reverend…

Joel’s ashes…

I wasn’t leaving Clara’s Crossing without them.

The reverend charged after me.

I glanced back to see Maybelle trying to stop him, but he easily shoved her out of his way, pushing her to the ground.

“Maybelle!”

“I’m okay,” she cried. “Just run, Noah! Run!”

I leapt up the stairs, dodging the pitfalls, bounding over the crevasses and cracks.

Glancing back, I saw the reverend approach the staircase warily, yet nonetheless determined to chase me down. He started his ascent, stepping over the hazards and half-broken steps.

I reached the top of the stairs and bolted for the bedroom.

I grabbed my suitcase and raced back into the hallway, but as I did, Reverend Jim appeared at the top of the stairs, leering with rage and malicious delight.

I knew I was going to have to get past him to get back to the stairs.

I hoisted my suitcase in front of me like a shield and with a defiant roar I charged at him.

The reverend charged back at me, plowing into me with so much force that he knocked me to the ground.

The suitcase flew from my grip and slid across the floor.

With both fists, he latched onto my shirt and hoisted me to my feet, shoving me against the balustrade overlooking the grand staircase.

I cried out in pain, feeling the shards of my broken ribs stabbing me on the inside, but the cry soon turned to a choking sound as the reverend’s hands reached for my throat and started to strangle me.

“As the book of the Ephesians says,” he spat through clenched teeth, a diabolical grin on his face, “‘Let him who stole, steal no longer!’”

I tried to fight him off, but he was powered with rage.

My vision began to blur.

I heard the rush of blood in my ears.

But I also heard something else—

It was the rattle and grind of the ascending elevator.

The reverend tightened his grip on my throat.

Bright stars began to fill my eyes.

I heard the elevator clunk to a halt.

I heard the grill door being yanked open.

And then I heard—

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