Chapter 75: Turbulent Night

The first thunder boomed across the darkened sky, and the air seemed heavy. Thick angry clouds churned above Eldridge Falls as the storm rolled into town. Emma stood at the window, watching the sky light up with lighting. The storm was getting worse by the second, but that wasn't what had her on edge. "Lucas, we have little time," Emma said, turning away from the window. Lucas was inclined over his invention, doing last-minute tinkering. Light humming filled the room with gentle whirring and whizzing of machinery casting its light on long projections running across the wall. "I know," he growled back, his head popping up. "But if we're to stop him, this needs to be perfect. One mistake, and everything falls to pieces." Ethan resumed his pacing around the workshop, moving the air with him. It was in the air. "You think this is going to work? I mean, we're going up against someone who's been pulling the strings for years. He's not just going to back down because we have a machine.". At last, Lucas looked up; his face was exhausted, but a determined glint had begun to form in his eyes. "It is the only shot we have. We tried every other option. If we do not stop him now, he will take everything.". The benefactor's words started clinging to her chest. The amount of destruction he had unleashed on the town; but with the storm brewing outside, it almost felt like the final battle was in store for them. The strong winds they heard knocked against the trees, rattling the workshop walls. The door burst open and Oliver plunged inside, soaked to the skin. His hair slicked back on his head; his eyes were wide with terror. "The dam!" he exclaimed breathlessly. "The storm-it's too much! The water's getting higher and the dam mightn't hold. If it breaks-" Lucas leapt to his feet. "If the dam breaks, the whole town will be flooded." Emma's heart went into free fall. "We gotta do something." "There's no time," Ethan said, shaking his head. "It was part of the benefactor's plan. He is using the storm to provide cover. While we're busy saving the town, he'll make his move." Lucas fisted a hand. "He's pushing us into a corner. He knows full well we can't fight him and save the town at the same time. Oliver wiped the rain off his face. His features told of desperation. "We can't just let the town drown." Emma stepped forward; her voice was firm though terror seemed to build claws in her gut. "We split up. Lucas, you finish the machine. Ethan and I go to the dam and do whatever we can to try to stop the flood." Ethan nodded. "We've seen worse odds. We'll make do. Lucas faltered; his eyes darted to Emma and then to the machinery. "Are you sure? If something goes wrong at the dam." Emma was reassuring, laying a light, firm hand on his shoulder. "We'll be fine. Just concentrate on stopping the benefactor." Lucas nodded jerkily, eyes flashing bright with determination. "Be careful. The next moment Emma and Ethan didn't let on, they put on jackets and plunged right into the heart of the storm. The rain hit them like cold needles, while at times the wind had its fight against them so that it kept one almost off their feet. A few feet in front, nothing was seen because the night had already been consumed by the storm itself. We shall have to take the back roads!" Ethan yelled above the wind. "The main bridge may just about be submerged!" Emma nodded, pulling her jacket close to her body. Every step was a fight against the wind, but they pressed on, minds set upon one thing: saving Eldridge Falls. As they drew closer to the dam, the river grew a great deal noisier. The water was in a frenzy, tugging at the sides of the dam with unbelievable force. They could see that it was already well over the top and that fissures had begun to appear along the edges. Ethan's face went white as he took in the sight. "This is bad. Emma swallowed hard. "We have to find a way to shore these cracks. Maybe we can hold it long enough for the storm to pass." They scrambled down the base of the dam, making desperate searches for anything they might use to patch the cracks. Rain was blinding; mud was difficult to keep their footing in, but together they worked, trying with all their might to stop the flood. In that strobe-like flash of light, a streak had parsed the sky, and in that strobe-like flash of light, something out there on the ridge had been standing and watching them and had seen it plain as day. "Ethan!" she shouted, tugging at his arm. "I saw it!" Ethan lifted his face into the rain, screwing his eyes up. "What?" "There!" She pointed to the ridge, but he was gone. Ethan frowned. "It's probably nothing. We need to focus here. But the feeling of being watched just would not budge from Emma's imagination. She made herself go back to work, and her trembling hands joined in the jamming of debris in the cracks. In their grasp was the rumbling of the dam as the water kept rising. "This won't do!" Ethan shouted. "We must have more time! There was a deafening crack. Appalled, Emma stood with her blood freezing. She faced towards the top of the dam where at this moment a big portion of the wall caved in. The water belched out noisily through the opening and swept everything down in its way. "Run!" screamed Ethan, jerking her arm. They struggled up the hill, flood waters surging toward them. But the mud was too slick. Emma slipped; her feet slid out from under her. "Emma!" Ethan reached for her, but the current was too strong. The water hit her like a wall, the breath bursting from her lungs. She was torn from her feet, tumbling down the raging torrent. She grasped for something-anything-but the water was too strong, sucking her under time and time again. Just when she thought she could no longer hold on, a hand clamped over her wrist and jerked her up into solid ground. She coughed and sputtered, gasping for air. Ethan knelt beside her, ghostly white in his pallor. "You okay?" Emma nodded weakly. Her body still shook from the cold and fear wrought within. She looked down once more at the river below them, a churning sea that seemed to have swallowed the valley. Gone was the dam, gone their last hope of saving the town from the flood. "We failed," she whispered, not nearly loud enough for him to hear above the storm. Ethan shook his head, his jaw clenched. "We haven't lost yet. We still have Lucas. He can stop the benefactor." But in her mind, she wasn't that convinced. The storm had tested them not only for resiliency but was part of the benefactor's plan, and right now he was getting his wish with the brink of disaster on the doorsteps of the town. They had to get back to Lucas. Miserable, the two trudged back in the storm, heavy with the knowledge of their failure, together. But as they reached the workshop, something was off. The door was wide open, and the wind howled through the space where something should have been inside. "Lucas?" Ethan shouted into the gale, shaking. Nothing. They burst in, eyes wide, frantically scanning the room. The machine still sat in its place, softly glowing in the poor light. But there was no sign of Lucas. Right in the middle of the room, where Lucas had been working, lay a note. Ethan snatched it and held it in shaking hands as he read it aloud. **"He's mine now. Meet me at the square."** It wasn't until then that it dawned on her as clear as a ton of cold water: the benefactor took Lucas. Outside, the storm was howling, but indoors in the workshop, it was as silent as death. Outside, the storm raged on, but indoors in the workshop, all was very quiet. Emma and Ethan were standing there, paralyzed by what that piece of paper indicated. For that meant the benefactor had Lucas, and now there was no escaping from him.