Another Dawn by Deb Stover Page A

even more importantly, he didn't have to run or hide ever again.
           The possibilities were endless. He could do whatever he wanted, go wherever he wanted, and be anyone he wanted. Free, free, free!
           Elated, confused and exhausted, he headed back toward the schoolhouse, wanting to check on Sofie. She alone held the power to tarnish his newfound happiness, but he still couldn't shake that nagging sense of responsibility.  
           Of course, if he disappeared by morning, it wouldn't matter how much Sofie ever remembered, because he'd be long gone and could even use a new name if he chose. No one would ever know.
           He walked behind the schoolhouse and into a pine grove, inhaling the sweet air and looking up at the darkening sky. For the first time in eleven years, he could go anywhere he chose, whenever he wanted. Or not.
           Simultaneous joy and terror rippled through him and the exhaustion he'd battled all day struck without warning. Staggering, he made his way to a fallen log and pulled Father Salazar's robe closer to his half-naked, burned skin.
           "Free," he whispered, folding his arms across his chest and trying to concentrate through the fog of fatigue. That meant he had important decisions–real choices–to make.
           Stay and help Sofie, satisfying his illogical notion that he was somehow responsible for her? Or leave Redemption, Sofie, and his memories of Father Salazar far behind to begin his life anew?
           He could go to Denver, then catch a train somewhere. California, maybe?
           An owl hooted overhead as darkness gathered. Stars blanketed the sky, appearing in magical clusters sprinkled across a bed of black velvet.
           He drew another deep breath of the rapidly cooling mountain air. The Nolans had lived in Colorado since his great-great-grandparents arrived from Ireland. Still looking at the stars, he wondered if he would meet his ancestors one day. Obviously, he couldn't tell them his true identity–not that they'd believe him–but just to meet them would be an incredible experience.
           And Grandpa...would Luke live long enough to see him again?
           His gut burned as if he'd swallowed battery acid.
           "You killed your grandfather with shame, Luke," Grandma had said.  
           There was nothing he could do to change his past–or future, such as it was. Luke Nolan would follow Ricky-No-Name into that liquor store and be tried and convicted of murder.
           Would or had? The paradox was almost comical, though Luke wasn't laughing now.
           He mustn't dwell on his past...or future past. Whatever. He was alive and he was free. Nothing else mattered.
           Struggling to his feet, Luke yawned and stretched, his body protesting the movement. Soon his skin would start to peel and his hair would grow back. Wouldn't it? Sofie would undoubtedly be surprised by his transformation, especially upon learning he wasn't a priest.
           Definitely not a priest. Luke Nolan was a man with a man's needs and desires, compounded by more than a decade of total deprivation.
           Banishing thoughts of unfulfilled desire, Luke stared through the darkness with narrowed eyes. A square of golden light spilled from a window at the back of the schoolhouse. Sofie was in there somewhere. Was she all right? That bruise on her head was pretty nasty. He should check on her before turning in for the night, assuming he could find a bed somewhere.
           Slowly, he trudged toward the back door. He'd ask for a place to sleep, and if the people of Redemption wanted him to perform any other priest-like duties tomorrow, he would. Then he'd begin his new life as a free man.  
           Soon. Very soon.
           Was that his decision? He couldn't be sure. Too much had happened today to permit him to make a rational decision about anything. He'd almost died