The Burning Time by J. G. Faherty Read Free Book Online Page A

it than that.
    “Whatever the reason, it’s working,” he said to the empty yard.
    John took a quick break at ten, helping himself to ice tea and an apple, then got to work replacing the broken planks on the porch and steps.
    His stomach rumbled, and he glanced at his watch, surprised to see it was almost one o’clock.
    Mitch is late. A tiny worry-mouse nibbled at his stomach. Since beginning camp, the boy had been unusually prompt in getting home. John suspected Mitch was one of those children doomed to have more friends in the pages of his books than in the real world.
    Maybe he stopped on the way home to catch a frog, take a dip in a stream, or do any one of the thousand things young boys like to do during the summer.
    After a moment’s thought, John decided to take a walk to the hardware store and pick up some things, and if Mitch wasn’t home by the time he got back, he’d go inside and call Danni. She had enough problems without him overreacting.
    He jotted a quick note to Mitch explaining where he’d gone and then set off down the road. The hardware store was barely two miles away; he could be there and back in less than an hour.
    The inside of Homestead Hardware was a cool oasis after the fifteen minute walk.
    “Afternoon,” John said to the clerk, as he handed the boy the list of what he needed.
    The young man stared at him for a long moment, a sour expression on his face. “We’re closed.”
    “What?” John wasn’t sure if he’d hear correctly.
    “I said——”
    “It’s okay, Roy. Mister Root here’s working for Danni Anderson.” The store owner, a gray-haired man named Max Hopper, came around the counter and gave the clerk a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Just put it on her account.”
    Roy glared at John and then walked away, heading toward the back of the store.
    “Sorry ‘bout that,” Max said. “People are starting to get edgy from the heat. Seen it before. Hot spell like this, people get like mad dogs.”
    “It’s all right. Let’s hope the heat wave breaks before it comes to that.”
    “Amen to that. But I got my doubts. Like Reverend Christian says, ‘Thou must suffer greatly before redemption can be found.’”
    John nodded, unsure of what to say. He was saved from further conversation by Roy’s return, several pieces of molding balanced on his shoulder and a box of nails in his hand.
    “Thanks again, Max. I’ll probably see you tomorrow.” John grabbed his purchases and exited the store. Stepping outside was like entering a sauna, and he staggered for a moment before regaining his balance.
    He’d only walked for ten minutes when he spotted the group of kids scuffling in the empty field bordering the road. The waves of heat rising from the pavement made it hard to see their faces, but they didn’t hide the fact that five or six boys were delivering a serious beating to someone who lay curled up on the ground. Fists rose and fell, and more than one foot arrowed in for a hard kick.
    John stopped, debating whether or not he should get involved. He knew his status as an outsider already had some people eyeing him with suspicion; he didn’t need to have a group of children making up false charges against him.
    On the other hand, I can’t just let someone get beaten like that.
    At that instant, his decision was made for him as the boy at the bottom of the pile shouted, “Leave me alone!”
    In response, someone said, “Your sister ain’t here to save you now, Tiny.”
    That’s Mitch!
    John dropped the wood and took off across the field. “Hey! Leave him alone!”
    As John drew closer, he saw it was indeed Mitch lying on the ground, his nose bleeding, his clothes and face covered in dirt. The boys backed off, and Mitch wasted no time getting to his feet and moving away from them.
    “Hey, we didn’t mean nothin’,” the biggest of the boys said. His angry scowl belied the nonchalant tone of his words.
    Ignoring them for the moment, John turned to Mitch. “Are you