Chapter 44: Sacrificial Love

The wind whipped down the streets of Eldridge Falls; their porch was a silent bubble that seemed to press the weight of their decision down upon them, like the storm. They knew what needed to be done. It did not make it any easier. The evil threatening to engulf the town in darkness and targeting this new generation was proving much stronger with each passing day. It would drag everyone into more danger if it remained on. Nathaniel stared at the hard-edged town, fighting their choice. "It's not fair, Emma," he said. "Leaving them like this… trusting them to fight what we couldn't fully stop." Emma laid an assuring hand on his arm, stilling the storm in him even as her own heart went out in despair. "It is the only way, We cannot continue protecting them. They have their strength, Nathaniel. They must stand on their feet now." He clamped his jaw tight and said nothing for several moments. Then, in a near whisper, he let loose with his words, "What if we're wrong? What if running is what the enemy wants?" Emma shook her head. Her voice was level and melancholy. "We are not abandoning them. We're giving them elbow room to fight their wars. Clara, Thomas, even Victor-they're ready. We've done all we can. It weighed in Emma's mind that leaving Clara, the children, and the whole town behind was a decision in order, proper by all means. The danger turned out to be too personal, and direct. In case they stayed on, that phantom like individual who visited them would never give up pursuing the younger generation. They had to leave if only to buy them some time. Nathaniel blew heavily, casting his gaze up the road where the town had amassed to bid their final farewells. It was so still that, other than the soft whoosh of the wind, one could barely hear anything but the low, hushed murmur of the townspeople as they awaited what was to appear. "They're not going to take this well," Nathaniel grumbled. And indeed, he was right. Thick tension enveloped them as they reached the middle of town. A number of people had amassed there: confusion, sadness, and even anger engraved on those standing faces. Clara stood at the head, red-eyed, as if she had been crying, but most difficult to say goodbye to. "You must go?" Clara whispered when they came up to her voice trembling, it tore bits from Emma's heart with the pain in this young girl's eyes. Emma fell to her knees beside Clara, taking Clara's hands delicately in hers. "This isn't forever goodbyes, Clara. We need to get you and others in a position where you have room to grow. You're so much stronger than you think. You can do this." Clara shook her head, and the tears fell now. "I just can't do this without you. Nathaniel stepped forward; his voice was low but firm. "You can. You've already faced worse, and you came through. This town is in your hands now, Clara. It's time for you and the others to lead." Clara bit her lip and nodded, but Emma could see how much she struggled with this. She squeezed Clara's hands hard before letting go of her. Now the other young leader spoke, Thomas, his voice so much stronger than Clara's, something flickering in his eyes, "We will protect the town, Mr. Harper, but we could use your help. What if something goes wrong?" Nathaniel laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "If you need us, we'll come back. But trust me, Thomas-you're ready. We'd only slow you down now. Around them now was the murmur of assent; the quiet dissension. A grey-haired old man shouted from the back, "You can't just leave us like this! This town needs you!" Cut by the words, Emma straightened herself, elevating her voice to make sure all could hear. "We are not leaving you without hope. To this town we have given all that we can. It's now time to raise the next generation. You are not alone in it.". The murmurs remained, but the weight of Emma's words seemed to settle across the mass. Some nodded in some sort of understanding, while others still looked unconvinced. The younger ones- Clara, Thomas, and those of similar constitution- stood a little taller now, an air of determination in them as they came to realize the mantle they had just been given. Emma's throat hoarse up as her eyes met each of theirs, knowing this was going to be the last time in some time. That was their life, their fight-an incessant battle, day and night, one hour after another relentless one. Leaving was not just a sacrifice but giving up what semblance of life they had built with hope for protection for those who would continue the fight. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind whirled across the square and snatched the hair right off Emma's head, and for that one second nobody said anything. Then Clara stepped forward again, time with all the power in her voice. "We'll protect Eldridge Falls. I promise." Emma felt her heart puff out with pride, but there was still the sadness. "I know you will. And then, the goodbyes were quickly unsaid hanging between them like a shroud. Emma hugged Clara once more, and Nathaniel clasped Thomas's hand tight as they wheeled round, running down from the town square. Down the path leading out of Eldridge Falls, Emma turned once more. Smaller now, it seemed, the town, and more obscure than ever before, memory trickling between her fingers. Nate wrapped an arm around her and spoke in a low voice. "It's not forever, Emma." She nodded, hard swallowing, but speaking seemed beyond her. She knew they were doing right yet it did nothing to blunt the pain. And those trees continued to loom over them as they kept on, away from the campsite. Suddenly, there was a shrill crack through the trees that arrested their attention. Emma stopped stock-still. Her heart racing, she spun, her nails digging into Nathaniel's arm as her eyes scanned the shadows. "Do you hear that?" she whispered. Nathaniel's eyes crinkled as he peered around them into the dark woods. "Yeah, I heard it." They froze, listening. But all that stirred was the rustling of wind through leaves. The moment Emma told herself it was her imagination, a figure emerged from among the trees. It was the same man, in black, who had come to their house. The smile on his face was cold; his eyes shone with that eerie glow. He stood just beyond the reach of trees, regarding them with unnerving calm. Emma's blood ran cold. "You." Nathaniel stepped forward protectively, blocking Emma from the man's view. "What do you want?" He had tipped his head to the side, still smiling. "You've made a mistake, Mr. Harper. Leaving the town. That's exactly what we wanted." Emma's heart was galloping as the realization finally hit her like a ton of bricks. They had just walked right into his trap. But before Emma could say another word, he spoke. His tone was a cold, chilling whisper. "The children. They're mine now. In but an instant, he was gone-vanished into the night and leaving his words lingering behind. Her weight buckled into her legs as he said it, and hit home. "Nathaniel. We've left them, left them in danger." Nathaniel's face went white and curiously, his fists curled. "We have to go back. But before they could, a deafening roar tore the air asunder. The earth began to shudder beneath their feet; above Eldridge Falls, the sky darkened, churning with unnatural threatening clouds. The wind started to howl through the trees. Emma knew they'd unleashed something way worse than they'd ever imagined.