The New Apprentice

By Vincent Morrone and Danielle Morrone

For fourteen years, Z has wondered where she came from, why strange things occur around her, and what happened to her family. When she runs into an old bookstore to hide from a horde of school bullies, she starts to find the answers with the cantankerous owner, Barnabus Krane.

Barnabus becomes her guardian, her magical instructor, and the family she's never had. He teaches her how to bring out the magic from within her 'Ka' and about the mystical world she never knew existed. But Barnabus also hides secrets. His connection to her past, his hunt for the warlock Blackwell, and the darkness that threatens to consume them all.

The hardest lesson for Z to learn is to trust in her bond with Barnabus and believe that their relationship goes beyond family. For he's not just another magician. He is the Grand Master Sorcerer, and Z is the New Apprentice.

• Language: Unknown
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Jul 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781509230976

Vincent Morrone

Born and raised in Brooklyn NY, Vincent Morrone now resides in Upstate NY with his wife. (Although he can still speak fluent Brooklynese.) His twin daughters remain not only his biggest fans, but usually are the first to read all of his work. Their home is run and operated for the comfort and convenience of their dogs. Vincent has been writing fiction, poetry and song lyrics for as long as he can remember, most of which involve magical misfits, paranormal prodigies and even on occasion superheroes and their sidekicks.

Book preview

Inc.

Barnabus shot me a grin. What do you think?

I’m gonna learn how to do that?

And more. He turned to face me. So, Parthenia Zogopoulos. He ignored my wince at his use of my full name. I would like to make you my apprentice. He held up a hand to hold off my reaction. The bond between a teacher and apprentice is extraordinarily special. It’s very strong and intimate in a way you’ve never experienced before. The two become family. You have to be sure you’re ready to make that commitment.

I gave him an amused look and ignored my pounding heart. Is this a marriage or an offer to teach me?

Barnabus scowled. I’m serious. Will you let me use my magic to grow yours, teach you my secrets, and guide you on your journey?

I gulped. This was real, this offer, not like all the empty promises I’d been dished out over the years at each new temporary home. This was so much more. I tried to find the words to match it, but I had nothing.

Finally, I managed one word. Yes.

The New Apprentice

by

Danielle Morrone

and

Vincent Morrone

The Krane Chronicles, Book 1

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

The New Apprentice

COPYRIGHT © 2020 by Danielle Morrone and Vincent Morrone

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Debbie Taylor

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Fantasy Young Adult Rose Edition, 2020

Trade Paperback ISBN 978-1-5092-3096-9

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-3097-6

The Krane Chronicles, Book 1

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

For Danielle—

The writing of The New Apprentice has been an evolving project, and the biggest reason for this was because of my co-author, my daughter Danielle. It started out with a project that she and I could do together. Hey, some dads build dollhouses with their daughters. Me? I decided to write a book with mine. As the story began to grow, you continued to blossom from a fifteen-year-old teenager to a young woman ready to take on the world. In the beginning, you watched and listened to me for guidance on how to construct a character, form a story, and develop a plot. Before long, you became my equal. Quite simply, I’m in awe, not just of everything you’ve done, but of everything you will do. This book wouldn’t exist without you. My pride in being your co-author is exceeded only in my pride in being your dad. Like Barnabus Krane, I not only had the chance to teach you but to learn from you. As a writer, and as a father.

Love you forever,

Barney.

For Dad—

Thank you for introducing me to the magical world of writing and guiding me to become the author I am today. None of this would be possible without you, Max the dragon, or my insistence on reading over your shoulder as you tried to shoo me away. (Aren’t you so glad you gave up on that?) I can’t think of a more fitting parallel for us than that of Z and Barnabus.

Love you!

Other Wild Rose Press Titles by Vincent Morrone

Torn in Two

Torn Away

Chapter One

Barnabus

This place could use a good redecorator.

Barnabus, we need to get out of here!

I spun around. My oldest friend was running toward me, dashing around the debris and rubble from the ruined castle. Running, of course, might have been a generous word for what Montgomery Sage was doing. His long tweed coat was ripped to shreds and the bits and pieces bounced as he raced toward me. His hands, both of them, were holding his matching tweed cap in place on his head. Monty always dressed like a sixty-year-old man, even back when we were teenagers.

What was worse, he always ran like someone had shoved a cane up his rear-end, no matter what was chasing him. It could be bullies from our days in the Academy, angry, drooling dogs through the streets of Brooklyn when Monty visited, warlocks, demonic creatures on a battlefield, or even on one occasion an angry chicken, Monty did more of a hop-race than a normal run.

Since we were deep within the bowels of a black crystal castle, twenty stories under the earth where we’d just discovered a portal that would open our world to the demonic creatures that inhabited the underworld, I didn’t expect to see an angry chicken chasing him.

The castle itself, with its long, jagged black rocks that stabbed through the air like shadowy knives looking for flesh to tear through, was a bridge of sorts between the human world and the underworld where demons tread. It wasn’t a nice place to visit, and I was hoping not to die here.

Monty skidded to a stop. His eyes were wide in fear and he was breathing heavily. He started to say something, but then he looked down at the creature that was sprawled out before me. It was about twenty feet long, scaly, and full of ragged dark fur, with over a dozen feet and huge jaws with spiked teeth on full display in its three heads, all of which were now separated from the three-pronged, long necks.

Leaping lizards, Monty exclaimed. What is this thing?

I took a moment to study it. I had seen many different creatures through the years. Big and small, creepy and sometimes cuddly. I’d never seen anything like the thing that laid at my feet now. And since it had seemed intent on eating me, I hadn’t bothered to ask for identification.

Monty was crouched down and examining its red, lifeless eyes. All twelve of them. "Seriously, what is it?"

It’s dead.

Monty frowned. I’ve never seen anything like it.

"I’ve never smelled anything like it either."

Monty took out a glass vial and collected a small sample of blood. Shortly, he pulled out a hair sample. I imagined he’d check its nails soon.

What the blazes are you doing? I asked.

Monty didn’t look up as he continued to collect samples. This is a completely unique creature from the underworld.

Of course, it is, I said. That’s what happens when someone like Blackwell opens up a portal to the underworld in their cellar.

Monty nodded as he struggled to extract one of its teeth. True, true. And who knows what other creatures may have already escaped. Really, what was he thinking?

I rolled my eyes as Monty made his way down to the creature’s tail.

He was thinking he would control these things and use them as a private invasion force. You do remember that Blackwell is now a card-carrying member of the ‘I want to take over the world’ club.

Monty sighed. Yes. Such a waste of such a brilliant mind. When we were at the Academy together, I had no idea he would become so obsessed with the dark arts. He was so charismatic.

Yeah, they always are. He had potential, but in the end, he turned out to be nothing but a putz.

Monty smiled as he looked up at me. You didn’t always think that of Blackwell, and as I recall you thought most of our classmates were putzes.

And if you do the math, you’ll realize I was right.

Monty stopped playing with the tail a moment and rested his chin on his hand. He closed his eyes and his brow furrowed.

Are you actually doing the math? Monty, twenty seconds ago you came tearing in here yelling about how we had to run. You want to tell me what we were running from?

The look of bafflement that crossed Monty’s face made me want to slap the tweed cap off his head. Then he jumped up, his eyes wide as he began to point in the direction where he came from.

Bug, he said. There was a bug down that hallway.

I covered my face with my hand. Monty, we still have to find Adam and the Book of the Dead. We don’t have time to worry about you being afraid of bugs.

I started to walk away, but Monty, now having remembered what it was he came in yelling about, wasn’t about to let it go.

But it was coming this way!

I exhaled in exasperation. Then stay here and step on it. Then you can help me find that book.

I’m not staying here alone, Monty said. And I can’t step on a bug. Especially not one that big.

Then don’t use your shoe, I said. Use one of this thing’s legs. Or some of that wall that fell off. This place is wrecked. There’s tons of rubble. Pick something!

Monty looked around, his hands out in the air as if something might magically appear. Nothing will work.

Why not?

The ground started to shake, and dust fell from above. Huge cracks began to appear in the walls, and a high-pitched shriek emanated from somewhere in the dark.

The floor of the antechamber exploded. Rocks and debris flew everywhere. I raised my hand and wriggled my fingers, chasing several of the large chunks that were headed in our direction to the side. Several small bangs shook the ground as a giant, menacing, dark shadow started to move in the dust.

It was a hard-shelled creature, with antenna and six legs. The thing was bigger than a tank. It snapped its razor-sharp pincers as it buzzed and started to head toward us.

Oh, I said calmly. "It’s a big bug."

It snapped into the air and landed on a far wall. Its red eyes started to glow, and I was pretty sure it was looking at us. I couldn’t be sure, since it had sixty eyes, but I was pretty confident it had spotted us.

Monty! Run!

That was my original plan!

We took off for the hallway by the rear of the antechamber. The bug screeched its displeasure. I heard the buzzing of its giant wings and felt it launch off from the wall. Instinct more than anything else had me grab Monty and push him to the ground as the thing passed right above us, its pincers snapping as it passed. It crashed into the rear wall, which crumbled under its weight. Its legs started to smack into the floor, sending black crystal in all directions.

We’re dead, Monty whined. We’re going to die and we’re going to be killed by a bug. I’ve been afraid of bugs my entire life and everyone always made fun of me! Well where are they now? Who’s laughing now?

Monty, I shouted, interrupting his rant. Shut up!

I raised my hand in the air and sent out large blazes of fire which exploded above its antennae in a brilliant fireworks display.

You missed, Monty said.

The creature reared up and attacked the display of exploding flames in the air. Raising my arms, I let loose with several bolts of lighting, striking it directly in its underside. Electricity surged through its body. Shaking violently, it collapsed in a smoldering heap.

Fried bug is a delicacy in some countries,

Monty’s response was to curl his lip. Pass.

Let’s go.

I headed to the left and down a long hallway. Monty stayed by my side, gawking at the statues of gargoyles made of black crystal that lined the walls.

Are you sure these things aren’t going to come to life? he asked.

No.

I tried not to laugh at the widening look of terror in his eyes.

But it’s unlikely, I said. After all, without their master to command them, they won’t just move on their own.

And Blackwell is gone? Monty asked.

For now.

That answer didn’t please Monty, but it was the best I could do.

We made it to the end of the hall where there was a double door with giant skulls adorning it. With a flick of the wrist, I magicked the doors open. Stairs led down, but there were no lights whatsoever. I held my hand out, palm up. A globe of light appeared and flew down the stairs. It disappeared into the darkness.

Monty stood on his toes to look. That’s not good.

I sent down another dozen or so until I could see a faint glow.

We started down the stairs slowly. Every now and then, we’d stop as the castle shook. Just as we reached the bottom, there was a huge shake.

What the hell did you do up there? Monty asked.

I ignored him. I was close. I could feel it.

Another door lay ahead. This had to be it. Blackwell’s dungeon. I surged forward. Stay right behind me Monty.

You don’t have to tell me twice.

The door was locked, as doors to dungeons tend to be.

Stand back. I raised the palm of my hand toward the door.

A flash of brilliant light, and the door exploded off its hinges. I smiled just as another tremor, this one more violent than any of the others, shook us so hard Monty and I were both barely able to stay on our feet.

I think perhaps we should hurry, Monty said.

I think you’re right.

We entered the dungeon and looked around. A row of cells sat on each side of us. We passed each by, pausing at each cell to make sure there was nobody inside. At least nobody alive.

Isn’t that Robert Mastiff? The missing Chief Guard? Monty asked.

I nodded. He wasn’t missing anymore.

Monty looked to the left. And that’s the head of the Academy? Doreen Wotchner?

I think so, I said. Hard to tell with only half of her face.

We passed cell after cell of people who were ripped to shreds, melted, and mutilated. Most were impossible to recognize. Sometimes there was more than one body in a cell. Often, there seemed to be a pile of parts. Legs, arms, torsos, all piled on top of each other.

Hey! Is someone there? a desperate voice that sounded familiar called.

Monty and I exchanged glances. Hold on.

The voice continued to call out. We searched for the source. We found an arm waving from underneath a pile of other victims. Help me, please.

A quick spell unlocked the cell door, something that wouldn’t have been possible if the castle’s magic wasn’t dead. Monty and I quickly pulled at the bodies. It seemed wrong to use magic to move these remains that used to be people. At the bottom of the heap, we found Alexander Silverton.

Barnabus, he said. Thank God.

I held my hand out to him, despite the fact that a part of me wanted to kick him in the head. Alexander. What are you doing here?

Blackwell took me, he said as I pulled him up to his feet. He began to dust himself off. I’m quite wealthy. I’m sure he intended to use me to get gold from my family.

I snorted. Blackwell doesn’t care about money. He never has.

Alexander straightened his stupid black cape, making sure he was presentable. He wants power. And money helps get power. Even you should understand that. I thought I was dead when his lackey came and started to slaughter everyone. But he missed me. The bodies fell on top of me and I played possum. It seemed the smart and prudent thing to do.

I looked down at the other bodies, people he most likely hid behind as they were being slaughtered and felt nothing but disgust. Yeah, prudent.

I headed for the door. I still hadn’t found what I needed.

You have no idea how terrified I was. I was convinced I was going to die under there. I had almost given up. Then I heard you and I realized I was saved. How could I thank you?

As I continued to search, Alexander kept yammering on to Monty about how terrified he had been and how lucky he was that we’d rescued him. Monty seemed to be eating it up, being sympathetic and understanding. I guess he enjoyed the fact that we had just rescued the biggest bully of our Academy days.

There’s a door this way, I announced.

But the exit is that way, Alexander said. Don’t you think we should be— He paused as the walls shook and the ground rumbled, louder and deeper than before. Getting the hell out of here?

I waved a hand at him. Go. Nobody’s stopping you. But I’m still looking for survivors.

The color drained from his face, but he nodded. Fine. You check in there. I’ll go around here.

Uh huh. I headed toward the rear of the dungeon. Sure. Check the cells right near the exit.

Monty was by my side as I made my way toward a large, metal door that looked like it hid all kinds of nastiness behind it.

Why aren’t you hanging with Alexander? I asked. Doesn’t he represent the cool crowd? Aren’t you happy to have him actually acknowledge that you exist? Or even to be in the same room with him where he’s not shoving your tweed cap in your mouth and your head in a toilet?

You and I know he’s probably going to run out of here, Monty said. "And just because I was being sympathetic and listening to him doesn’t mean I want to be his friend. I’m not the same outcast of a lad who he tormented back in our Academy days, but he’s been through an awful ordeal. You could be a little nicer."

We reached the door. I paused a moment and looked back at Monty, shooting him a grin. No. I really can’t be.

Before he could answer, I used a bit of magic to open up the door. I burst inside and my insides turned to ice.

Adam!

I ran to his side. There were still traces of the fresh-faced young man who’d kept hanging around my apprentice two decades ago. I’d watched him grow from a young boy into the man who had married Anna. He’d never feared the fact that the girl of his dreams had the ability to turn her Prince Charming into a toad. He didn’t have a trace of horror on his face the first time he’d seen Anna use magic, only a sense of wonder. He always wore that same look of wonder whenever he’d gazed at Anna, not because of her abilities, but because he loved her.

Now his face was bruised and bloody and his eyes were full of terror and pain, with a puncture wound in his neck which had turned black. His veins pulsed with some type of demonic venom, and his body convulsed.

Adam. I moved my hand over his heart, passing white magic to him, willing him to heal. His wounds disappeared, but the blackness in his blood didn’t clear. You’re going to be all right. You’ve got a little girl who needs you. Anna still needs you. You’re going to be all right.

Adam managed a small smile. I have a daughter?

I nodded. And she looks so much like Anna. She’s beautiful.

Adam’s smile vanished as he went into violent spasms. I did what I could to ease them, but there wasn’t much. As they subsided, he grabbed my hand. It’s t-t-too late for me.

I shook my head. No. I pulled my hand away and began to administer healing spells again, but it wasn’t working. I looked to Monty, who had his fingers pressed to Adam’s left temple.

Monty’s fingers slipped away, and he looked at me, shaking his head in sorrow.

S-s-save Anna, Adam said. And make sure my daughter knows I love her.

I just shook my head. No. I won’t lose you. I can’t accept this. There has to be a way.

Barnabus, Monty said. He doesn’t have time. If we knew what creature had bitten him and had the resources. But we don’t. We’ve got to do it now, before he changes.

Get his blood, I ordered. Get it now.

Monty shook his head. But we don’t have time to…

Do it!

Monty reached into his coat and drew out an empty vile, where he began to collect some of Adam’s blood.

Barnabus, Monty said. It will take years to get what we need from this, even if we had the book. He has minutes, if that.

I didn’t answer. I just waited until Monty put the stopper back on the vial.

Adam found my hand again. Don’t let it happen…Don’t let me become…one of them. I won’t have it.

I shook my head. Never.

He smiled. Preparing himself for me to burn out his heart. I looked into his eyes, the eyes that had become like a son to me and knew what I had to do.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a large, white crystal stalactite and raised it above my head.

Monty looked up and saw me. Barnabus, no!

I brought the stalactite down, stabbing Adam through the heart. Monty leapt back as Adam’s body quickly crystalized.

Monty stared at me as if I’d lost my mind. I wasn’t sure that I hadn’t.

You’re mad, he said. Is that what you used on the portal?

I nodded. It worked. It’s sealed. And soon this whole place will be one giant crystal. So, will Adam. It was the only way to give him peace. He deserved that much.

The room began to violently shake. Instead of a tremor, it was a death rattle. The table where Adam lay was now crystalized. And it was spreading to the floors, the walls.

We need to get out of here, I said. Now.

Monty didn’t argue. We ran.

That must have quickened the reaction, Monty yelled as we sped down the hallway. This place is going to collapse in minutes.

We’re going to make it, I said. Don’t worry Monty, I won’t let you become a permanent resident.

We skidded to a halt at the end of the hall and turned left.

Thank God, Monty replied. Because I don’t care for the remodeling you’re doing.

Inhuman howls echoed from behind. Whatever demonic creatures had come into this place were trapped. Blackwell hadn’t had time to prepare them to enter the upper realm, so they could only exist here. And this place wouldn’t be here much longer. They would never survive the crystallization that was taking over the castle.

Alexander! Monty came to a stop.

He’s long gone. I grabbed Monty’s arm and tried to drag him, but he wrestled away.

No, Monty yelled. He isn’t. There.

Alexander was struggling down the rattling hallway, dodging falling debris and carrying a small, but very pregnant woman. I didn’t recognize her, and she was in no shape to introduce herself.

Help me!

Monty and I raced to his side.

Give her to me, I ordered. Monty, help Alexander. I’ll get us out of here.

Reluctantly, Alexander passed the woman to me and swung an arm around Monty’s shoulder for support.

I never would have thought I’d ever see Alexander Silverton doing anything heroic. Even as I carried her still form through the hallways of the Black Castle, hearing the crackling of crystallization that was engulfing this trans-dimensional hellhole, I still couldn’t believe it, despite the fact that I held the evidence in my arms.

We raced up the stairs and through the antechamber where Monty and I had faced the giant bug.

Alexander skidded to a halt. "What is that?"

It was a big bug, Monty supplied. His eyes were fixed on the giant insect. It was dead, but still terrifying. Especially for someone like Monty who was afraid of lady bugs.

Not that, Alexander said.

Monty nodded, his eyes darting to the other, as of yet unidentified creature. We’re not sure what that is.

Alexander moaned. Not that. That!

Up on the ceiling, a big hole had appeared. A giant, slug like creature was oozing its way out. It was gray skinned, full of slime, and had a giant caw of a mouth with jagged teeth. And it was heading right at us.

What do we do? Monty asked.

What do you think? I said. Run!

We took off for the entrance to the antechamber, the giant slug oozing down the wall on its way to us. Whatever it was, it was much faster than something of that size should be.

We didn’t have far to go. Past the doors was a giant bridge, and beyond that the moving staircase that would take us into the human realm. It couldn’t survive there.

It’s gaining on us, Alexander said. What else can we do?

I chanced a glance over my shoulder. The creature was on ground level with us, slithering its way forward with alarming speed. Run faster!

Run faster? Alexander yelled. You were the top of our class. You were the one everyone thought would rule The Council. Even Blackwell couldn’t match you, and all you can think of is run faster?

With a flick of my fingers, I magicked open the door. As soon as Monty and Alexander were through, I closed them. We raced to the bridge and headed across. We were nearly there.

A sound that cannot be described filled the bridge-room as the slug creature burst through. It was as if it were calling to us, telling us that we weren’t getting away that easily.

Cross the bridge!

Monty was ahead of me, running in that strange way he had. Even as he dragged Alexander along with him, he looked like a children’s cartoon character.

He made it to the other end and started up the stairs. I spun around as I reached the edge of the bridge. The slug was nearly on top of me. It reared up, snapped its jaws, and came down to rip off my head.

It exploded inches away, covering me and the woman in dark green sludge.

Monty? I said as I turned around.

And friends.

The Guild had arrived. Finally. Dozens of sorcerers and sorceresses stared down at us, their hands raised, bristling with magical fire.

Well, it’s about damn time.

Chapter Two

Z

Challenge accepted, old man.

Run.

I gasped air in and out of my lungs, struggling to keep going, to ignore the burning in my legs. The chilled wind tunneled into my face. Red hair blew into my eyes.

I tripped over a bottle in the road. I caught myself on the wall of the building I was running past, ignored the scrapes the red brick gouged in my palms, and forced myself to keep going. I glanced behind me. Makenzie Niles and her group of friends were in hot pursuit, and far too close for comfort.

Briefly I considered trying to get to my foster home, but that wasn’t really a good idea. I’d only been there for three days, and I wasn’t sure I would be able to find my way there from my new school. My best option was to try and lose Makenzie somewhere in the winding streets of Brooklyn.

I cursed silently as I found myself in a dead-end alley, closed off at the other end by a time bent, gritty, high-wire fence. Grouped together nearby were several metal garbage cans. Just my luck.

I skidded to a stop and was about to leave the alley when the hulking form of Makenzie and her six friends entered. Each wore identical, sneering grins on their faces as they fanned out, Makenzie in the lead.

You’re done for now. Makenzie stepped forward, tapping her fist into her other hand. Her voice moved to a mocking falsetto. Nowhere to run.

I backed up until my backpack pressed against the fence. The girls started forward, and I grimaced. Though I was new, I’d quickly learned that Makenzie Niles was the school bully, tormenting anyone she felt needed a lesson taught to them. If spreading rumors and making snide comments didn’t work, she resorted to teaching lessons with her fists. As I was the new kid, she naturally thought that she had to put me in my place right away. Somehow, I doubted it would be through hugs and girl talk.

My eyes scanned for something, anything, I could use as a weapon, but I was out of luck. Like an idiot, I’d run past the garbage cans, and though I wasn’t sure how much good it would have done me to grab a lid to use as a shield, it was now too late. Makenzie and her friends were right beside them; there was no way I’d get there in time. I’d be lucky if I didn’t end up face first in the trash.

Suddenly, the garbage cans began to tremble, so lightly at first that I thought I was imagining it. The shaking became more pronounced until it was impossible to ignore. Even Makenzie noticed the sound and glanced over. Her eyes widened as she saw the shaking metal cans, and she looked back over to me.

Here we go again.

I ducked down with a shriek as the garbage cans exploded. When I looked up again the lids were rolling to a stop on the broken concrete of the alley. The contents of the garbage cans: rotted remains of fish and brown lettuce leaves, were strewn across Makenzie and her friends. Each girl was standing in openmouthed shock, which really wasn’t a good idea as it was allowing some sort of gook to drip into their mouths. It didn’t smell good.

Taking advantage of their pause, I leapt at the fence and began to climb, swinging my legs over the top and dropping down.

That was when I noticed the dog. It was a stray, with course black fur and a long nose that twitched at me. As soon as it noticed me it bolted forward, hackles raised and yellowed teeth bared, and I shrank away. Again I pressed myself against the fence, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to climb back over before the dog reached me. Even if I could, there was nothing good waiting for me on the other side.

The dog came to a stop just in front of me, inspecting me with wild, alert eyes. Slowly he edged closer. I held my breath as his nose came within inches of me, sniffing me, inspecting my scent. My heart pounded in my chest as if it were trying to escape.

The dog shoved his muzzle at me, and I flinched away. Instead of the tear of