Excerpt: The Noose

An ominous rumble sounded as Angela felt something catch her ankle. The floor trembled and she lost her footing, crying out as she fell forwards to her stomach. The lunch basket and lantern went flying. As if in slow motion, Angela watched the lantern swing in a graceful arc, smashing open on a rock, the kerosene inside catching ignition off the still-lit wick and spraying out in a deadly cloud. As the liquid fire lit up the region, the roof came tumbling down and she knew no more.