The next clear image was the creek bank, where he had dragged himself with his injured leg.

After that, time broke apart.

He found shelter, tried to reach people, and became increasingly confused.

The church and bus stop came back to him only when Owen described them.

He could not explain why he had kept moving away from help.

“I knew she was alone,” he said.

“It was all I could think about.

I thought if I could just get to the next road, somebody would drive me home.”