Butler, Alabama

Behind, broken asphalt as ragged as the sobbing anger that led her here. Ahead, shadow-play and dappled sunlight, ending in a crimson so brilliant Dante himself might be compelled to avert his eyes.

“Follow,” she whispered. “Follow.”

And then she was running — no plead, no prayer, no backwards glance.

Music: Unsuffer Me by Lucinda Williams (lyrics)