Ex Sanguine

No, it’s the man’s eyes that bring Jacob up short, locking him in place for a moment. Milky white. Dead. The first casualty of the fever, always, the blood vessels rupture until you are left to die in darkness, alone. Only Pastor Sutter didn’t die and now those blind eyes seem to stare straight at Jacob as he stands before the cross, as if watching to see what the boy will choose to do next.