I stand in the still forest and listen. Father’s voice is calling to me from somewhere far away. I don’t try to reach him. I can’t understand what he’s saying, although I hear him clearly. I know that he’s beyond my reach now. The echo of his words is all that I have. I can’t understand them now, but I will. When I’m ready to.

There’s another voice, much closer to me. It’s deep and throaty. I shiver as it whispers into my ear. When I turn, I can see Karl in ...