{"id":10698,"date":"2022-06-18T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-18T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/?page_id=10698"},"modified":"2023-06-25T05:56:29","modified_gmt":"2023-06-25T11:56:29","slug":"sas-excerpt-1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/sas-excerpt-1\/","title":{"rendered":"An Excerpt from Sunshine and Shadow: Exodus, or The Second Transit"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"padding-bottom:20px; padding-top:10px;text-align: center;\" class=\"hupso-share-buttons\"><!-- Hupso Share Buttons - https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/ --><a class=\"hupso_toolbar\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/dot.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top: 5px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\"\/><\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var hupso_services_t=new Array(\"Twitter\",\"Facebook\",\"Google Plus\",\"Pinterest\",\"Linkedin\",\"Tumblr\",\"StumbleUpon\",\"Digg\",\"Reddit\",\"Email\",\"Print\");var hupso_background_t=\"#EAF4FF\";var hupso_border_t=\"#66CCFF\";var hupso_toolbar_size_t=\"big\";var hupso_image_folder_url = \"\";var hupso_twitter_via=\"bxwretlind\";var hupso_url_t=\"\";var hupso_title_t=\"An%20Excerpt%20from%20Sunshine%20and%20Shadow%3A%20Exodus%2C%20or%20The%20Second%20Transit\";<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/js\/share_toolbar.js\"><\/script><!-- Hupso Share Buttons --><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The following excerpt is from <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3JrnWZN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sunshine and Shadow: Exodus, or The Second Transit<\/a><em>, which was released on July 12, 2022. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"chapter-one\">CHAPTER ONE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Candice was in trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A lot of trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps because she was the oldest at eleven and theoretically the most responsible, she would get an earful when they returned to the settlement. The others would get in trouble, too, but not as much as her. No, she was going to get it, stick and all. And for what? Because she couldn\u2019t walk away from a dare? Mama would have none of this. It was the only thing outside of venturing into the forests that her parents warned her not to do, the one thing <em>all<\/em> parents warned <em>all<\/em> children not to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Don\u2019t go in the holes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How <em>could<\/em> they obey that silly little rule, however? They were kids, and curious kids will do what curious kids do: the opposite of what parents tell them. Candice knew for certain that her parents had ventured into the holes that peppered the dry lakebed when they were kids. Grandpa even told stories about all the treasures he found hidden out there, just below the dirt, inside the holes. The riches were guarded by dragons, apparently. Maybe the stories <em>were<\/em> made up, like her brother Micah claimed. After all, if Grandpa found so much treasure, why was he still a farmer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And so, on a dare, Candice was in a hole and deep in trouble. Naturally, Micah opted out of going with her\u2014claimed he had classes to attend, or something\u2014so she had to find a few other willing kids to do the thing parents said not to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Candice adjusted her braided black hair and pushed forward. Ryan, her cousin, was ahead of her, the bouncing light from his lantern barely visible. He was about four years younger and the skinniest, so he was chosen to lead the others deep into the only hole they could all fit into, one of many on the opposite side of the ship buried in the dirt. Candice\u2019s friend Trisha, also younger but older than Ryan, was in the best position to watch her little brother, Killian. Both struggled to find footing on the loose dirt and rocks behind Ryan. In the rear, and a little overweight, Candice held her own lantern. It was good to be in the back. She had no desire to lead the group, even if she was the oldest. If something happened, she could get out fast, but she would still have bragging rights to shove in her brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The light ahead stopped bouncing and Ryan\u2019s voice echoed in the tight space of the cavern. \u201cRight or left?\u201d he asked. \u201cGot another tunnel here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow should I know?\u201d Trisha stopped on what looked like a large rock. She lowered her head a little to keep from knocking it on another rock sticking out from above. \u201cPick one and get moving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGo right! Go right!\u201d Killian\u2019s voice echoed. He was too excitable for this adventure, too bouncy and full of energy. Candice was surprised he\u2019d made it this far. It seemed the little kids were always bored fast, ready to bounce from one toy to another, then to the streets to play or the storerooms to look for a snack. All of six, however, this kid was a born adventurer and would not stop until he found treasure. \u201cGo right,\u201d he said again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAye, aye, Captain.\u201d Ryan\u2019s light slowly moved to the right and bounced again. Candice couldn\u2019t see much past Trisha and Killian still on the rock. Candice raised her lantern so she could see Trisha\u2019s face better. \u201cYou going?\u201d Candice asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trisha looked nervous, her freckled cheeks grimier than normal. She gripped Killian\u2019s hand tighter. \u201cI don\u2019t know. Maybe we should head back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo!\u201d Killian\u2019s screech echoed. \u201cGo, Tish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Candice was on Trisha\u2019s side. \u201cWe can turn around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo, Tish.\u201d Killian jumped up and down. \u201cGo, go, go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMaybe a little more,\u201d Trisha said. She didn\u2019t look confident in her decision, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maybe they <em>should<\/em> turn around. They were already in so much trouble. No, that wasn\u2019t true. <em>Candice<\/em> was in so much trouble. The others would get a scolding, but she would get the stick. Not that any sort of punishment like that had been used before, but she could imagine her being the first. It would be worse if anything happened to them while they were down here. The aldermen would tie her to a stake during the next Council meeting and let everyone else have at her, make her an example of what bad children get when they do the thing their parents said not to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m okay with going back,\u201d Candice said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<em>No!<\/em>\u201d Killian screamed. Apparently, he was also not a child who accepted defeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Candice knelt to meet Killian\u2019s gaze. \u201cWe can come back another day. We made it this far.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRyan up there.\u201d Killian brushed a curl of red hair away from his eyes and pointed to the receding light ahead. \u201cRyan will be rich.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere\u2019s no treasure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The little boy\u2019s head bobbed up and down. \u201cYes, there is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A scream ahead caught their attention. Candice stood and tried to see around Trisha. \u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRyan?\u201d Trisha cupped her mouth with her hands and called again. \u201cRyan?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His light was still visible, but faint and now unmoving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCome on,\u201d Trisha said to Candice. \u201cWe need your lantern.\u201d She pulled on Killian\u2019s hand and headed toward Ryan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Candice felt nervous, unsure of whether to follow or run back to the settlement and get help. Since she was already in so much trouble, why not push ahead?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRyan!\u201d Trisha called again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Killian echoed his sister. \u201cRyan!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The screech of the boy made Candice\u2019s heart race faster. She looked at the lantern in her hand, then up toward Trisha and Killian. They really did need her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She had no choice. She had to be the light in the dark. She abandoned her idea of running for help and followed the others. What could happen? She had heard stories of other children falling in sudden drops in the holes and twisting their ankles. One adult, Brother Moran, broke his arm according to legend. That had never been verified, however, and eventually the dangers of the holes made way for the excitement of adventure, of doing the thing parents said not to do, of beating a dare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>What bad could possibly happen in a hole?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2014<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ryan lay on his back, the lantern next to him. He had fallen into a pit about ten feet deep. From what Candice could see, he was still alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRyan,\u201d Candice called down. \u201cCan you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her cousin\u2019s eyes fluttered open. The lantern cast an ominous glow over his face which was covered in dirt. \u201cI\u2019m&#8230;okay.\u201d He sat up. \u201cThe ground gave in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Candice looked at the edge of the pit where she crouched, just under the roof of the tunnel. She carefully eased back. \u201cAre you hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ryan looked at his hands. \u201cJust some scrapes. My ankle is a little sore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCan you get out?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ryan looked up and around, then stood. He brushed dirt off his pants and shirt and picked up his lantern. The pit was about six feet wide, the sides a crumbling mess of dried mud and pebbles. Dust hung in the air. \u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d he said. He looked up. \u201cDid you bring a rope?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Candice swallowed. \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t. But there\u2019s one by the ship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThose ropes are old. Broke one a few days ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trisha lay on the ground at the edge and reached into the pit. \u201cCan you grab my hand?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ryan stretched up. \u201cNot unless I can find something to stand on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLet me get the rope,\u201d Candice said. \u201cIt won\u2019t take long.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo. I just need a rock or something.\u201d He swung the light left and right, then stopped. \u201cHold on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Near the back edge of the pit, Candice saw what looked like a large rock, about two feet across and maybe just as high. If he stood on that, he might be able to reach Trisha\u2019s hand and they could pull him out. The quicker the better. If they could get Ryan out and make it back to the settlement, they could explain the boy\u2019s dirty clothes and scrapes away by calling it rough play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why had she agreed to go into the holes again?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Right. On a dare.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ryan stood on the rock, his body against the side of the pit. He reached up and across, but it was still not enough. \u201cI\u2019m going to try to move this thing,\u201d he said. He put the lantern on the ground and pulled at the rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBe careful,\u201d Candice said. Of all the things to happen down here, a cave-in would be one of the worst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rock moved a little. With another grunt, Ryan pulled it away from the wall. He slipped and fell backward onto his bottom. In place of the rock, Candice thought she saw another hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ryan picked up his lantern and brought it up. \u201cWhat is that?\u201d The hole was no wider than the rock, but its darkness was ominous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIs it treasure?\u201d Killian asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGet the rock and climb out, Ryan.\u201d Candice believed her voice might sound more mature than she was, and if she had to play the scolding adult, so be it. \u201cWe can look at that later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ryan looked up at Candice, then Trisha. \u201cDare me to peek inside?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Not another dare. What was it with boys? Was this how people got themselves in trouble or, worse, buried in the ground at Cemetery Hill?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo,\u201d Candice said. \u201cYou get that rock and climb out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cJust a peek, Candy.\u201d Ryan smiled. She hated that name, and Ryan knew it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRyan Page. If you don\u2019t climb out of there right now, I <em>will<\/em> tell your mother. Or worse, your father.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere might be treasure,\u201d Killian said, his voice climbing even higher<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere is no treasure,\u201d Candice said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ryan put the lantern by the hole and lay on his stomach. He peered inside. \u201cGround is a little wet here,\u201d he said, his voice muffled by the dirt in front of his face. \u201cSmells horrible.\u201d He scooted a little closer. \u201cI think I see\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Something that looked to Candice like a red branch reached out of the hole. As Ryan tried to back away, it rose above his back, then plunged into the boy\u2019s flesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ryan screamed. In one second, flesh peeled away and bones cracked as his body was pulled forward into the hole, face first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trisha screamed as well, and Killian backed up. Candice watched in muted horror as the hole forcefully consumed her cousin\u2019s body. His scream stopped. Where there was once a boy with a lantern who agreed to go with her on a dare, there was now nothing but a lantern and a trail of blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The light of the lantern illuminated water as it seeped up from the ground. In seconds, it covered the floor of the pit and flowed more forcefully out of the hole into which Ryan had been pulled. The blood on the dirt mixed with the water and disappeared as the level rose. In seconds, the lantern was dowsed, and the pit was dark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trisha was panicked, her breath coming in ragged, short bursts. Killian, of all people, was quiet. He looked at his sister, then into the pit as the water continued to rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe have to get out of here,\u201d Candice said. She stood and pulled on Trisha\u2019s shirt. \u201cNow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe\u2019s\u2014he\u2019s gone,\u201d Trisha quietly said between breaths. She looked at Candice. \u201cWe have to get him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe can\u2019t, Trish.\u201d Candice did not want to believe it either, but there was no other option. With Ryan gone, there was nothing any of them could do but run back to the settlement and tell some grown up. Forget being scolded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe can\u2019t leave him,\u201d Trisha said. Her voice was louder, exposing her true panic. \u201cHe\u2019s hurt!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ground at the edge of the pit crumbled under Trisha\u2019s weight. She backed up, then pushed Killian. \u201cGet back, Killian.\u201d Trisha looked into the pit at the now swirling water, faintly visible in the light of Candice\u2019s lantern. \u201cCandice. Get him out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat are you going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI can swim if I have to,\u201d she said. \u201cI have to do something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<em>No!<\/em>\u201d Before Candice could react, Trisha swung around and pushed herself into the pit. She landed with a splash, the water up to her ankles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<em>Tish!<\/em>\u201d Killian screamed. He leaned over the edge of the pit and looked down. \u201cGet out of there!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Candice froze. What could she do? Now Trisha was in the pit and whatever grabbed Ryan was sure to grab her as well. What was that thing? There were few animals around the settlement, and none that ever showed up on the lakebed. All the furry critters and things to eat hid out in the forbidden forests, but nothing that had creepy long red fingers that spiked people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not that Candice knew of, anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTrisha!\u201d Candice called as she lay on the ground at the edge and reached into the pit with her hand. \u201cGrab my hand!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trisha jumped, but she couldn\u2019t reach. The water splashed again as she fell back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe rock! Grab the rock!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trisha stood in the water and looked around. The rock was to her left, illuminated slightly by Candice\u2019s lantern and still next to the hole where Ryan disappeared. She reached to grab it when another red branch-looking thing shot out of the water and wrapped around her arm. Trisha screamed and pulled away. She pushed herself against the far wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cJump again!\u201d Candice screamed. \u201cYou can make it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trisha tried again, but her foot slipped. \u201cThe water is turning the floor to mush.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPush off from the rock!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<em>Tish!<\/em>\u201d Killian cried from behind Candice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGet back!\u201d Candice glanced to her right as Killian approached the edge of the pit, his body quivering in the glow of her lantern. He was crying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTish! Get out! Get out! Get out!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trisha jumped again, but still missed. The branch reached for her leg and whipped around. Trisha saw it. She frantically clawed at the side of the pit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTish!\u201d Killian reached down with his own hand, the edge of the pit crumbling under his weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trisha looked up. \u201cGet back! Candice! Get him out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Candice reached toward Killian as the edge gave way. Killian screamed and tumbled face first into the pit, his head striking the rock. He rolled over into the water, silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trisha reached for Killian as the branch found her arm and wrapped around it. She screamed and tried to pull back. Another branch reached out of the hole and wrapped around Killian\u2019s lifeless body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Candice pushed away from the edge of the pit as Trisha\u2019s scream intensified\u2014then stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They were gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She reflexively picked up the lantern and ran back toward the entrance to the hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/short-stories-excerpts-and-other-things\/\">Read more Short Stories, Excerpts and Poems<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All text copyright 2022, Benjamin X. Wretlind<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3JrnWZN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/SAS_ad.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20674\" width=\"400\" height=\"310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/SAS_ad.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/SAS_ad-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/SAS_ad-768x595.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><div style=\"padding-bottom:20px; padding-top:10px;text-align: center;\" class=\"hupso-share-buttons\"><!-- Hupso Share Buttons - https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/ --><a class=\"hupso_toolbar\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/dot.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top: 5px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\"\/><\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var hupso_services_t=new Array(\"Twitter\",\"Facebook\",\"Google Plus\",\"Pinterest\",\"Linkedin\",\"Tumblr\",\"StumbleUpon\",\"Digg\",\"Reddit\",\"Email\",\"Print\");var hupso_background_t=\"#EAF4FF\";var hupso_border_t=\"#66CCFF\";var hupso_toolbar_size_t=\"big\";var hupso_image_folder_url = \"\";var hupso_twitter_via=\"bxwretlind\";var hupso_url_t=\"\";var hupso_title_t=\"An%20Excerpt%20from%20Sunshine%20and%20Shadow%3A%20Exodus%2C%20or%20The%20Second%20Transit\";<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/js\/share_toolbar.js\"><\/script><!-- Hupso Share Buttons --><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The following excerpt is from Sunshine and Shadow: Exodus, or The Second Transit, which was released on July 12, 2022. CHAPTER ONE Candice was in trouble. A lot of trouble. Perhaps because she was the oldest at eleven and theoretically the most responsible, she would get an earful when they returned to the settlement. The&hellip; <br \/> <a class=\"button small blue\" href=\"https:\/\/bxwretlind.com\/blog\/sas-excerpt-1\/\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-with-right-sidebar.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10698","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6.1 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>An Excerpt from Sunshine and Shadow: Exodus, or The Second Transit - Benjamin X. 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