Chapter 20: A Dangerous Game

The Order of the Veil wasn't going to just lie down and lose; they had merely waited for that one specific moment in time when it would be perfect to strike, having kept a close eye on Emma and Nathaniel. It was on one of those nights that he and his girlfriend were on their way home from dinner when they got ambushed. Some figures appeared out of nowhere, coming from nowhere with hoods over their heads, surrounding them. The girl, Emma, and Nathaniel struggled, but they were outnumbered and outmatched. The figures in hoods seemed highly trained in fighting and showed absolutely no mercy. It wasn't until everything was about to be lost-literal that a figure emerged from the dark. It was Silas. He had been following them but kept himself back to observe the ambush and knew he needed to intervene. Silas fought gallantly with a swordsmanship beyond any comparison; he managed to fight off the hoodie-wearing individuals long enough to allow Emma and Nathaniel to break free. They ran down the streets, their hearts on their chests. Behind them, the figures in hoodies closed in as their screams pierced through the night. Just when all hope seemed lost and they were about to be overtaken, Emma finally managed to spot a narrow, covered alleyway. She yanked Nathaniel inside and positioned herself behind a stack of crates. They sprinted past in a blur of hooded figures and flickering torches, the flames casting eerie flashes down the alley as they ran. Emma and Nathaniel huddled behind the crates until they were out of view. Their pursuers were gone for the moment-they knew all too well the Order of the Veil would never give up. They would hunt Emma and Nathaniel ruthlessly until they were dead. The moment when Emma and Nathaniel tried to figure out what their next step would be, a new threat appeared: some stranger had come to Eldridge Falls, and he was raising trouble. His name was Gabriel. He was a professional thief. He had been stealing from townspeople; on the side, there was a rumour that he was associated with the Order of the Veil. There was an artefact kept in the town museum that was quite valuable indeed; it had caught Gabriel's eye, and over time, he would have it stolen and sold to the Order. Emma was quite aware as Nathaniel was that they needed to make sure Gabriel did not get a hold of the artifact. They followed him right through into the museum and confronted him. A fight ensued. The two opponents were no match for his speed and agility; he soon disarmed them and threw them to the ground. Just as Gabriel reached to take the artefact, a figure came from the back; it was Olivia. She had followed every step of Gabriel when she knew he went to the museum, and he had to be stopped from whatever it was that he had in mind. Olivia struggled no match for the strength of Gabriel. He knocked her to the ground and was about to strike when Nathaniel leapt at him. A fierce struggle ensued. Nathaniel and Gabriel fought with all their might-their blows echoing through the museum. Finally, Nathaniel overpowered Gabriel, pinning him to the floor, and holding him at gunpoint. Fuming, Gabriel's eyes flashed from fear to defiance. "You'll pay for this," he snarled. And with that, he wrenched himself from Nathaniel's grasp and ran out of the museum. Emma and Nathaniel ran after him but were too late. Gabriel had disappeared into the night. They knew Gabriel would be back and that they were far from getting out of trouble. But for the moment, they were safe. And more importantly, they had each other. In this sequel, Emma and Nathaniel are put through their fears and insecurities in the jeopardy that is continuing within the town. Will they overcome the dangers that are overpowering them, or will they fall in the dark gathering above them?