Just on this side of a curve in the trail he stopped and moved behind me. Then a black strip of cloth held by his hands was before my eyes. ‘Put thi... on for me, I have a surprise waiting for you.’ My heart began to pound as darkness covered my eyes and he tightened the cloth at the back of my head. ‘Okay love, I’ll lead you from here,’ he said as he placed his hand at my elbow and began to walk once again. As he led me down the trail I could tell that the flakes had picked up in size and. The knot of emotion that had been burning in me had burned itself out. I felt calm and relaxed, but at the same time energized. Miranda had hung over all of us, but I’d felt her claws at my throat and that was gone. I felt better than I’d ever felt in my life and I looked forward to the future with hope and anticipation rather than the dread on fighting against her machinations to destroy my family.I was feeling so free that I felt like all things were possible. I slipped out of bed about ten. It’s the only illuminated spot in the space. You’re startled by movement behind you, a blur reflected over your shoulder in the mirror causes you to turn, somewhat alarmed, to see if anything or anyone might be lurking in the dark. As you cautiously search the room’s exteriors, I jump out and force my hand across your mouth. “Shhh”, I say, “it’s just me. I had to see you alone, just once.” Those are the last words we say.You’re scared but soon calm down once you grasp it’s me. We kiss madly,. .. we used to fight a little bit, until Dad got sick of it one day and he made a new rule that from now on each of us would have a set piece and that was final.”“That’s convenient, because I like either the shoe or the thimble and both of those are still available.” Pearl said with a grin.“So what do you want to be tonight?” I asked.“I’ll go with the shoe.”“Cool! You’re the shoe, I’m the dog and Dan’s the car. Okay Dan, it’s your move.” (Doh! I said it again!)“How do I roll the dice?”I groaned.