"By the gods!" Valla gasped. Bastion had led her toward a small clearing, the light of a fire penetrating the darkness of the forest. She froze for a moment as she saw Tommy slumped against a tree. It was as though her fear had become reality.<br/><br/>"Tommy!" she cried, breaking her paralysis and running to him. She knelt down beside him, unsure at first what to do. Gripping his head gently, she turned his face toward hers, looking for signs of consciousness.<br/><br/>"Tommy! Can you hear me?"