Something warm and dark and friendly, something that made friends with the forest, soaked itself into the roots of the trees, turned the animals into its pets. It was so loving and comforting, the presence that cradled Kate Batts as she fell.
Allen wanted to join it, wanted to fall too. He knew it would catch him. He stepped onto the lip of the well. Two white eyes glowed back at him from the blackness. But, before he could jump into its arms, his world went up in flames.