The Mountains Rise by Michael G. Manning Page A

swing he floored Daniel. The branch caught him in the throat and
     sent him flying backward. His head struck the rocks as he landed , and the world went dark for a moment.
    He regained his awareness only seconds later, choking and spitting. He couldn’t breathe
     and the world his eyes showed him was a horror of blurs and smeared colors. His other
     sight worked fine though and he could clearly see Ronnie leering at Kate.
    “I think he’s dead,” said Aston, looking concerned as he examined Seth once more.
    “Who cares!” declared Billy.
    Aston was the smartest of the three by far. “We should! Nobody cares about a scuffle,
     but if he dies there’ll be hell to pay.”
    “It doesn’t matter,” said Ronnie, his voice carrying evil undertones. “If he’s dead , we’ll just throw his body in the river. By the time he fetches up against one of
     the shores he’ll be out of the valley and in the deep woods. No one will find him
     there.”
    “What about her?” Aston said, reminding them there was more than one victim present.
    “Same thing,” announced their ringleader. “After we have some fun, of course.”
    “Him too, eh?” added Billy, indicating Daniel.
    “You learn fast,” agreed Ronnie. “Is he awake?”
    “I think so,” said Billy. “His eyes are rolling around, but he might be able to hear
     us.”
    “Good, prop him up a bit. I want him to see this.” Ronnie was removing his trousers
     now.
    Daniel’s vision cleared as Billy lifted his head , and he could see Kate watching him. Her green eyes were wet with tears , but he could tell by her aura that she was more worried about him than she was herself.
    “Please, Ronnie,” she said softly. “Let him go. Just let him go , and I won’t tell anyone. I’ll do what you want.”
    Aston chuckled from where he watched, “She still loves the sheep-fucker.”
    Daniel’s body felt as if it had turned to jelly. He could move his legs but they
     were weak , and he knew they wouldn’t support him. He was helpless. Without knowing what else
     to do , he reached out toward Ronnie with his mind, touching his aura. The contact was gentle
     at first, a product of his practice with so many women, but he channeled his rage , and instead of manipulating the young man’s aura he gripped it, twisting and pulling
     with all of his strength.
    Ronnie turned at the first contact, staring at Daniel oddly , and then he began to scream. His face contorted and blood began to run from his
     nose. “What are you doing?” he cried, pain making his words nearly unintelligible.
    Daniel’s power surged as he began to get a better feel for what he was doing. The
     strange light that only he could see built and illuminated the world around him.
     He could feel his own power now, and he realized that the main limits on it had been
     created by his own fear. Unleashing the restraints , he seized Ronnie’s mind and twisted harder, ripping and tearing.
    Ronnie collapsed and his scream was cut off. Blood ran freely from his eyes and ears,
     as well as his nose and mouth, while his body twitched and convulsed spasmodically.
     He died in near silence, but for the grotesque sound of his limbs flopping against
     the hard earth.
    Billy and Aston watched in horror as their friend died. They couldn’t understand
     what was happening , but they felt intuitively that it was somehow Daniel’s doing. As they looked at
     him in terror , he threatened them. “Billy Hedger , I curse you for the r est of your life; you too, Aston. If either of you ever come near her again I’ll boil the blood in
     your veins and make you beg me to let you die.”
    They ran, not daring to look back even once.
    Kate was staring at him intently. Her tears were gone , but the expression on her face left him in no doubt. She knew him now. His evil
     had shown itself plainly. Now she understood.
    “I’m sorry, Cat,” he told her, trying to roll over so he could crawl closer. “I’m
     so sorry.” A wave