Countless Haints (Part 4)

Everywhere.  Spattered across the thick carpet of pine straw and dead leaves.  Glistening upon a gray-barked tree trunk.  Dripping from a dozen or more thorns. 

The boy left a spattered trail of his own blood through the briars.

"You all right?" Madi cried. 

She followed, her eyes tracing the bloody track.  She moved even more slowly.  She no longer heard the boy, but something rustled up ahead.  She wondered if the thickets in this place were moving of their own accord and dark thoughts, like t...