Billy walked slowly down the path on the right. He was struggling to see now through the darkness of the forest. It confused him; above him he could see the daylight through the trees. As he looked up, his foot tangled around an expose root from the earth beneath him.

He groaned as his chest hit the dirt hard. For a moment it couldn't breathe and he grasped his ribs with his forearm.

"Don't worry, son," Said a voice in front of him, "It'll only hurt for a minute."

Billy's hat had fallen over his eyes and he couldn't see who was talking to him. There was no dark figure in front of him, no caring eyes staring down. He pulled himself to his feet and pushed his hat up his head.

Still holding his chest, he looked around him. Still he saw no one.

"Hello?" He said with a timid voice, "Is anyone there?"