Chapter 7

"Well, Doc, that's that," Brad replied as they looked down the road. He kicked the dirt with his boot.

"Yep, sure looks like it," Doc said. Noticing the new Dawn of springing forth over the mountain, the two men watched the sunrays stream down among the fields and heard the roosters crow that magical Cock-a-doodle-doo.

Walking back into town, they noticed a car in front of the mayor's house. "What do you mean she's not here?" The man yelled at the mayor's wife.

Doc saw Steve and his wife as they got closer. "I got this one, Brad," Doc said, walking over to all the noise.

Steve turns around. "Finally, somebody that can tell me what's going on in this crazy town?"

Doc gently and cautiously wraps his arm around him and his wife, leading them through town to his makeshift hospital clinic. The faint scent of antiseptic lingers in the air, mingling with the musty aroma of old books. As they enter the room, the soft sound of their footsteps on the worn linoleum floor echoes faintly. Doc's weathered hands tremble slightly as he retrieves a letter, its crisp paper rustling between his fingers. The comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts from the nearby table, filling the space with its rich, enticing scent. With a deliberate motion, Doc carefully pours the steaming hot cup of Joe, its warmth radiating through the ceramic mug.

As he closes the door behind them, a sense of tranquility settles over the room, offering a brief respite from the chaos outside. Doc watched as Steve's eyes widened, their gaze shooting upwards to the ceiling, as if trying to escape the confines of the page. In a mixture of disbelief and astonishment, he muttered loudly, his words echoing through the room. The sound reverberated off the walls, a sharp contrast to the previously hushed atmosphere.

"Be gone three, maybe six months, a year, or even longer." The words hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty. Each weighted and heavy syllable caused Steve to recoil involuntarily, as if physically pushed back by the magnitude of the news.

"A Year!" Steve's voice suddenly erupted, piercing through the silence. The sound was sharp, like a sudden crack of thunder on a cloudless day. It filled the room, overpowering any other noise, and reverberated in Doc's ears.

Loraine, sensing the tension, approached Steve, her steps light but purposeful. As she reached out to touch him, her hand emanated a gentle warmth, a comforting presence amidst the chaos. "What, dear?" Loraine's voice was soft, a soothed melody amidst the cacophony of emotions. The sound floated towards Steve, enveloping him in a sense of calm.

"My mother says she has gone on a trip with her and Richard around the world to do a little sightseeing and to have an adventure before she and Richard get too old." Steve's words tumbled out, his voice a mix of disbelief and resignation. The air seemed to grow thick with the scent of wanderlust, a faint aroma of distant lands and untold stories.

He turned the page, his fingers trembling slightly, and as his eyes scanned the words before him, his mouth dropped open in astonishment. The sight of the text seemed to blur and dance before him, as if the letters themselves were alive, swirling and shifting in a mesmerizing display. Steve's voice echoed through the room, carrying a bewildered tone that was accompanied by a mix of relief and disbelief. The air felt heavy with anticipation, as if the walls themselves were closing in, suffocating him. The scent of uncertainty hung in the air, mingling with the familiar smell of the room. He couldn't help but wonder where and how Aunt Lizzy had found herself a husband, the sound of his thoughts drowning out all the other sounds. The room seemed to shrink in size, amplifying the overwhelming emotions that washed over him, like a wave crashing against the shore.

"Oh, that's a relief, dear," Lorain's wife said, her voice tinged with a hint of concern. She gazed out the window, her eyes scanning the horizon as she spoke. The warm, golden sunlight bathed the room, casting dancing shadows on the walls. She had been worried, her mind clouded with thoughts of something terrible befalling Lizzy and her fiancé Jayden.

The sound of chirping birds filled the air, their melodious symphony creating a soothing backdrop to their conversation. The faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted from the potbelly stove in the makeshift hospital, mingling with the scent of freshly cut flowers on the table. The gentle breeze rustled through the curtains, softly caressing Lorain's face as she listened intently to her husband's words.

Lorain's anticipation grew, her heart filled with a mix of curiosity and excitement. She imagined meeting Jaydan, picturing a kind and charismatic man who would bring joy to Lizzy's life. Although they had only spoken briefly on the phone, Lorain could sense the sincerity in Jaydan's voice, assuring her that he would take care of Lizzy and make her happy.

"Bad?" he replied. Steve shook the letter in front of her so she could read it. She smiled when turning the page over. "It sounds like she and Richard are having a lovely time."

Doc grins from ear to ear, watching him read more of the letter as his face gets more serious and long; he stops jumping around as his eye's focus, then mumbles. "She's got that right."

"What, dear?" Steve just continued reading without said a word, then looked at Doc for a moment and continued reading. Then he took the last two pages and threw them into the fire. His wife looked at him strangely as he handed the rest to her to read. Then he stood, put his arm around Doc, and whispered, "Thanks," as tears fell down his cheeks. "I will keep that secret safe."

In the letter that was burned, Betty told Steve what happened to Danny and EJ. Knowing they were both together and safe. Not where they are, not how it happened, or what they look like. Nothing but knowing they are alive and well and both are together with the Downings. That Doc had a small part in it as he tried to keep it a secret for the rest of his life, for he knows the entire story as it was told around the table as they feasted that night with the Tweeds. "No sir, I have not seen the Downings since spring."

Doc, filled with doubts, fidgets nervously as he contemplates the weight of the secret he holds. The dimly lit room casts long shadows, adding an eerie atmosphere to the conversation. The empty hospital beds and dusty shelves, silent and still, spoke of a brief respite, a quiet calm before the rush of patients that would no doubt would return.

The sound of a ticking clock echoes through the room, each tick a reminder of the passing time and the gravity of the situation. The creaking floorboards under their weight add to the unease. Doc's hands tremble slightly as he reaches into his pocket, the crinkle of paper breaking the silence. He carefully unfolds the letter and hands it to Steve, who takes it with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. Steve feels the paper; it's rough and worn, like someone has held and unfolded it many times before.

In this tense moment, Doc can't help but imagine the scene he fears the most. He envisions Jim's two boys, EJ and Danny, lying lifeless in a forgotten hole, their small bodies barely visible in the dim light. The putrid smell of decay fills the air, mingling with the acrid stench of Jim's sick laughter, echoing through the desolate landscape. The sound cuts through the silence like a chilling knife, sending a shiver down Doc's spine. Doc can almost feel the cold dampness of the earth beneath his feet, seeping into his bones, knowing if Jim their father knew what Doc knows or where Jim's two boys EJ and Danny are, he would be more than glad to finish the job making sure their deaths were a reality, something Doc and everyone else that are protecting them could never let happen, As Doc hands over the letter, a mixture of relief and dread washes over him. The weight of the secret now rests on Steve's shoulders, and only time will reveal the consequences of their actions. Doc looks at the letter in Steve's hands as they shake. "I can't do this alone," Doc replies.

Steve nodded, the sunlight streaming through the window casting a warm glow on his face. "Then we shall do it together," he said, his voice filled with determination.

Loraine looked up at Steve and Doc, their eyes locked in a silent understanding. The sound of her trembling breath filled the room, a faint rustling as she carefully placed Jim's letter in the pocket of her worn-out dress. Doc and Steve moved towards the door, the creaking floorboards beneath their feet echoing through the quiet room. As Loraine rose from the wooden table, she could feel a mix of anticipation and unease swirling in her stomach.

Steve's smile was gentle, his lips brushing against hers in a tender kiss. She could taste the faint tang of coffee on his breath, a familiar and comforting scent that lingered in the air. "Sorry, dear," he murmured, his words vibrating against her skin. "I think it's best you stay here until I get back."

But Loraine refused, her determination evident in her voice. "Now listen, dear," she said, her words tinged with a hint of defiance. "I am your wife, not a child. If I want to come, I'll come; if I don't, I won't." The air in the room seemed to crackle with her resolve. "Right now, my instincts tell me I need to come. So, I'm coming after I have looked at the Downing farm all torn to shreds."

As the words left her lips, Loraine could feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. The scent of freshly cut grass wafted through the open window, mixing with the musty smell of old books that filled the room. She could feel the weight of uncertainty and determination settling on her shoulders, a noticeable presence that urged her forward. Doc grinned and took her hand. Fine by me, Steve. What could it hurt? Come back to an angry wife? Or take one with you?" he asked.

"That depends," he said, his eyes meeting his wife's, and a warm smile playing on his lips as he drew her close. "On what she is mad about at the time?" Loraine socks him in the arm lovingly, smiled as Doc laughs.

When they reached Linda's home, things were, you might say we're off to a rough start. Aggie was laying down the law as if it was her home. The two soldiers were hopping around like mad as things were getting done around the house. Jim could not leave the room until he had it just so, so to her specification, for she runs a tight ship. And for some reason, the girls could not talk as if their voices were gone, and every time they tried to kick or hit each other, there was an electrical shock going through their bodies.

Linda was also busy making a list of food items and having them rechecked by Aggie, shaking her head as she pointed her back to the kitchen to do it again. Yes, things were working swimmingly at the Stuart home by the time Doc and his party arrived at the door—well, almost, as Aggie opened with a stern greeting to Doctor Hatfield. "What? Did we forget something?" she asked.

Doc introduced his guests to her. "Oh, by all means. Please come in; after all, they have nothing better to do," she said, looking around the room. Yells for Jim to get out here now. Linda smiles as she sees Steve and Loraine. She proudly leads them into the spacious living room, the plush couch inviting them to sink into its soft cushions. She quickly fetches a couple of chairs, the legs scraping lightly against the polished wooden floor, ensuring that everyone has a seat. Fragrant candles on the coffee table fill the room with the faint scent of lavender.

As Aggie's eyes darted around the room, she couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that crept up her spine at the mere thought of Jim's presence near Linda. The faint sound of a gentle breeze whispered through the open window, mingling with the hushed murmurs of conversation. The air carried a faint scent of lavender, a delicate aroma that masked the tension in the room. Aggie's fingers twitched nervously as she observed Jim sitting on Loraine on the plush, cozy chair next to Linda. Oblivious to her presence, Jim carried on with his actions, completely unaware that she was observing him and privy to all his dark secrets, including his dealings with his friend Morgan, a sinister wizard with no allegiance to anyone but himself. She sank into the plush velvet seat, its coolness soothing against her skin, as the rich, velvety texture calmed her nerves.

Jim gingerly settles into the unforgiving, cold metal chair, its hard surface sending a shiver down his spine. Beside him, Aggie's longing for a more sinister seat becomes palpable, as if she can almost smell the wood and leather of an executioner's chair. The heavy air in the room hangs like a dense fog, suffused with an unsettling tension that lingers on the tongue like a metallic taste. Aggie's vivid imagination runs wild, making her feel a phantom switch beneath her fingertips, imagining the crackling bolts of electricity coursing through Jim's body, and the acrid scent of his dark soul and heart being seared.

Her thoughts wander to the painful truth of Jim's actions, the betrayal still fresh in her mind. The sound of her own heartbeat drowns out any other noise, as she recalls the horrifying details of his involvement with a man named Morgan. The image of him, consumed by darkness, lingers in her mind like a haunting melody.

As she reflects on the horrifying act orchestrated by him, a nauseating metallic tang of blood seems to pervade the air, assaulting her senses. The impending murder of the two innocent boys, EJ and Danny, is a horrifying specter that haunts her, replaying in her mind like a terrifying, heartbreaking symphony of despair. The night when darkness took hold of him, allowing the malevolent wizard Morgan to possess his body and attempt to end the boys' lives - it still echoed in her ears like a cacophony of screams. The battle between good and evil, fought with every fiber of her being and the support of her friends, leaves her trembling, her spine tingling with a mixture of fear and determination. The desperation in Jim's struggle was noticeable and almost hard to believe if you did not know the man known as Jim Stuart their father, not to stop Morgan, but to quell his own sinister urges that would have led him to commit the unthinkable act. His pleas to Morgan, begging him to carry out the act or allow him to do it himself, hang heavily in the air. The putrid stench of his malevolence fills the room, overpowering any other scent. The weight of the realization settles upon her, causing her to shudder uncontrollably. Jim's guilt is undeniable, his desires warped and twisted, leaving an indelible mark on her soul.

In her heart, she knows that Jim is beyond redemption. The weight of this knowledge presses upon her, suffocating her senses. The sight of his face, twisted and hardened by years of cruelty, sends shivers down her spine. The sound of his voice, a harsh and menacing growl, echoes in her ears, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. The stench of his evil presence fills the air, suffusing every corner of the room. The feeling of despair settles deep within her, a heavy burden that threatens to consume her.

As Aggie contemplates the fate of his wife Linda, a glimmer of hope flickers in the darkness, like a distant candle struggling to stay lit. Her mind conjures images of their two daughters, Peggy and Donna, their innocent faces tainted by the darkness that engulfs their family. She clings desperately to a faint hope, a lifeline that she can rescue them from the clutches of their father Jim Stuart and his evil desires. Determination courses through her veins, fueling her resolve to do whatever it takes to turn their lives around. She envisions herself shielding them from the darkness, wrapping them in a cocoon of safety and love. But the question lingers, like a heavy fog that obscures her path. - how? She knows that a long and unpleasant meeting awaits her with the Gods of Light.

The thought of facing them fills her with trepidation, like stepping into an abyss of uncertainty. She envisions the Council of Light, their radiant presence illuminating the room, as they deliberate on the fate of Jim Stuart this evil, violent man sitting beside her. She seeks their guidance, their wisdom, in crafting a plan to remove him from their lives. An earthly prison would be too lenient, too forgiving for his sins. No, he deserves a fate far worse than that, a punishment that only the Gods of Light can provide, one that would be justified.

Steve calmly handed Jim the letter, the crisp paper rustling between their fingers, and waited patiently as Jim scanned the words. Jim's letter surprised Steve and his wife because it was longer than Steve's, with several extra pages. Jim's face remained a mask, betraying no hint of emotion, leaving the contents of the letter a complete mystery. His expression remained unchanged. No excitement, nothing. The only difference is that Jim looks at Steve and his wife. Jim simply folded the paper back inside the envelope without saying a word. There was no sign of gratitude or any verbal response. Jim shrugged, handed the envelope back to Steve, and got up from the chair, leaving the room to return to his work. Steve carefully unfolds the letter, his breath catching in his throat as he takes in the words.

He handed each page to Linda as his wife Lorain had read his. Tears were on the pages when he got to the last pages as they smeared. She tells of the story of the ring his dad gave her when Jim was born. Now, she buries that ring to keep the boys safe and for herself. It was a hope that, in time, he would realize that they were worth more than garbage, as she fought to protect them with her own life.

"For something in this world is possible if you only believe it to be possible because right now, both your sons are alive and together. You are a fool if you cannot see past yourself and realize that Linda is right. He should trust her when she says a man named Morgan took them. For it was true, and their lives are in danger, so are yours.

"Why? She does not know, but somehow you do because deep inside, it is eating you alive every time you look at the boys. You hated them more and more. Linda is at least trying, but something is missing between you and her, as there seems to be a chilly feeling about all of you. Morgan is at your doorstep; he has been around you and knows you well. Why? What have you done? Only you can answer these questions. I'm sorry, son, I hope; no, I will see you again."

Linda turned the paper over in her hands, reading the last bit, then put it back into the envelope. Aggie's instructions were simple as she looked at Doc and Steve. She realized the letter needed to be destroyed because it was linked to the boys. She grabbed the tray and passed the cups around as she breathed calmly and watched the paper inside the envelope turn to dust. "Now then," as she turns to Steve. "You say you are his brother, is that right?" she asked.

Steve nods, "Yes."

"Well, I would never have guessed that one," she said, a playful smile on her face, and the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her lie. The room in the Stuart home was dimly lit, with the soft glow of flickering sunlight through the curtains, casting dancing shadows that seemed to sway with the gentle breeze. She hated it here, for the sense of death and sense of evil penetrated these walls. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the subtle aroma of lavender from the nearby vase of flowers. She shifted in her seat, feeling the smooth fabric of the chair against her fingertips. Her gaze lingered on Steve and his family, studying their expressions and interactions, her senses attuned to every subtle nuance. It was no easy task, this role of silent observer, but she had embraced it, despite the warnings that echoed in her mind. Occasionally, she couldn't resist the temptation to intervene, to protect and guide them in ways they were unaware of.

"How do you mean?" he asked.

"Well, for one thing, he slouches as you sit up straight and tall. Plus, you with your eyes. As he sees the world a lot differently, I can tell." Aggie, wanting to describe his brother Jim, felt a chill run down her spine as she tried to capture the sinister, malicious nature of his brother's Jim's true intentions. She struggled to find the words to contrast him with a man of goodness in his heart and soul, knowing that his brother Jim possessed neither qualities.

Steve's eyes briefly flicker towards Jim, who is down the hall, before he places the teacup back down on the tray. Ignoring everyone else in the room, he rises to his feet, his mind consumed by something else entirely.

Aggie just watched with a careful eye and continued the conversation. Steve slowly walked down the hall towards the bedroom, stopping to look at each one. Then, through the very window and room where EJ leaped for his life, an icy feeling was still present, as if the room stood still in time.

"Not much to look at, is there?" Jim replied as he stood next to Steve. Steve peers through his brother's eyes, his own vision merging with his brother's, and suddenly a chilling realization strikes him. The scene before him is devoid of warmth and life, as if trapped in an eternal winter. The air feels heavy with an ominous presence, sending shivers down Steve's spine. The once vibrant eyes now resemble a pair of vacant, cold, steel orbs, reflecting the darkness that has taken residence within. It is an unsettling sight, as if someone had stolen the very essence of life, leaving behind a void filled with evil.

He doesn't know where his brother has gone, as the man standing beside him is not the person he remembers growing up with. Looking into his eyes, he realizes that this is not his brother Jim, but a stranger. Steve puts his arm around his brother, and they both gaze out of the window. There are no words to express the true meaning of what had happened, both in this room and over a lifetime, especially since he hated himself for not stopping it sooner. Only his mother and his three aunts, Lizzy, Mary, and Aunty M, had done more than he had. Without being asked, Jim answered the unspoken question.

"They're gone, and I know it was me," Jim confessed as he closed the door to the room. He sits on the bed with his head in his hands and tells Steve what happened long ago. On one fateful night when a man with red eyes saved his life, "then in return, I signed a contract with him with a promise. I was young and foolish then; I was just a kid myself when it happened. I thought I had the world at my fingertips.

"I was young and full of life. Things were good - I had a new job and a gal by my side. When it happened, all he was asking for was just a little thing, and he was joking, or so I thought. I figured nothing would come of it. However, years later, when my son was born, he showed up again, reminding me of our contract as time slipped through my fingers. It was then that I realized he wasn't joking; he wanted that damn boy! But I couldn't do it, not when I looked at my wife. Although, looking back, maybe I should have. I couldn't bring myself to tell her what I had done - she would have never forgiven me for willingly giving our son to this man who had saved my life.

"My life was already hard, but the birth of that demon child made things a hundred times more difficult! No, it was worse than hell, to tell you the truth. There were no bed of roses for me or my wife. Maybe I should have just given him to that man then and be done with the whole damn thing, moving on with our lives. Yet, she and our damn mother and father wouldn't let me. They forced my hand over and over again, constantly interfering! It was a goddamn blessing when our father finally died because it meant my wife and I were free from his or her interference!" Jim shouted this with a low growl, my voice changing as my eyes turn red with hate. Then they turn black as night, contrasting against the blue eyes he was born with.

Steve watches as Jim clenches his fist, first turning red and then black again. Steve is almost afraid Jim will strike him dead where he stands. No, this is not my brother. This is an animal consumed with hate and the darkness that fills this entire room." Jim struggled to calm himself, but the anger still lingered on the edge of his emotions. "After that," he began, his voice tense, "we had another child." It was a girl, a child who seemed to please both of us and ease some of the pressure. But then we had another girl, almost back-to-back, and finally, our last child, a boy. Another damn boy, a constant reminder of the mistakes I had made. I knew I had no choice. They both needed to be gone, they both needed to die! Especially when I looked at my oldest, fear and hatred consumed me. I couldn't bear the thought of what he might become - a dark, evil demon prince, a spawn of evil that would bring destruction to our world. He would kill and destroy everything he touched. No, I couldn't let that happen. He needed to be gone; he needed to be dead before this man Morgan could take him! And as I looked at his face every day, the hate grew stronger. I knew it was because I had signed that contract, a contract on his life, his very soul, just so I could live longer to see my other children grow up. But he wasn't worth it, that damn boy! Not him, never him!" Jim's voice echoed through the room, the air growing colder with each word.

Jim let out a strained chuckle, the barely contained rage simmering just beneath the surface. The sound lacked any trace of humor, sending a shiver down Steve's spine. This wasn't his brother Jim anymore; this was a cold, cruel man, and Steve wanted nothing more than to be done with him. Jim laughed again, the chilling sound filling the room, as he spoke, "Yet he needed two to consummate the deal. There was a small chance, I thought. If we could send him away to a place where Morgan couldn't find him― The words "my son" escaped Jim's lips in a strangled, angry growl. "I needed to find a way to break free from this accursed contract I had made with a man named Morgan, I thought, the words" echoing in his mind like a chilling curse. "Despite our wishes, his mother and grandmother once again intervened in our lives, convincing my wife to bring him home to a place we had no desire for him to be.

"Now his brother is also gone, mixed in the same mess that I tried to avoid long ago. Yes, Steve, there is nothing for me to look out that window. I know I shouldn't find them, and I don't know their whereabouts if he comes back. I could never look him in the eye or put my arms around him because I do not feel any love for him and can't, and won't, knowing I took his life away the moment he was in my arms.

"As the coldness entered my heart for him and his brother, I realized that he would be better off staying away from me, where I couldn't touch him. When people on the street ask about my oldest son, I tell them that he is dead now. Walking away, I hope that he truly is. I know that Morgan cannot harm him beyond the grave, and I hope he gets another chance to live the life he wanted, without us, without me. However, that opportunity won't exist in this life or here, and maybe not even in the next, if there is one. He has paid the price in blood and tears, but the knowledge that he won't be able to … it almost seems laughable, because it is what we both deserve in the end.

"As I look out that window, I know that Morgan has taken him as his Dark Prince. In the end, Morgan will kill him, for there can only be one. And for that, I am glad. It brings me peace to know that he will finally be dead and gone forever. Morgan will have done something that I should have done the moment he was born, the moment they both were born! I should have killed them! Oh, God! I should have done it! I should have done it that very night, before he had taken him!

Jim shouts into the air, his clenched fist shaking at the walls. "And now, we are all about to pay the price for my mistake, for my cowardice. I should have stabbed that knife through their fucking hearts, but something stopped me. And now, it's too late!"

Steve looked at Jim, thinking he was off his rocker, a man gone mad with hate a man filled with so much anger it reeks off of him, as he told him about a man, he signed a contract with, more or less, a life contract. He had never heard of such a fairytale in his life. "Come on, Jim, wake up!" Steve tries to shake him loose. "There is no such thing. Mother just said that she and Richard are out seeing the world with her grandsons, most likely to take the pressure off you. You are talking like there are demons and monsters out there," Steve replied as he pointed towards the window.

Jim looks him in the eye as the anger builds inside him, yells, screaming in white-hot anger. "Steve, there are soldiers in my house right now; they are here to protect us from Morgan, who you call a madman. That maid in there is more than just a maid for my wife and the girls. You tell her that Morgan is just another madman. I'm sure she would and could blast you to kingdom come with a simple wave of her hand."

Aggie could hear the screaming down the hall as her eyes turned red, her hands tightened, and she stood. "Please excuse me. I have some children to attend to," she said as she marched down the hall, opening the door. Then she closed it behind her, and there was nothing but silence in the room. There was no shouting, just calmness as Aggie fixed her eyes on both of them, holding them still with their mouths shut.

They could not move or speak and stood there watching her as she restrained them like little children. "Now that's better," giving each a stern look. "Now you may sit," as she releases them. Crossing her legs as she sat on the bed across from them, she said, "I am so glad we're having this nice little chat, but we do not scream in this house. I will not allow it. If you cannot play nicely, you … children will learn to. Do I make myself clear? Nod yes or no."

They both nod yes. "Good. Now, what you choose not to believe, Steve, as you look at your brother Jim and his wife is true. Things you might not believe in as fairy tales sometimes or indeed can happen and are possible and are very real. If they weren't, I would not be here, nor would those soldiers, who, by the way, are good men compared to your brother, but I have hope for him, a tiny hope, a hope so small it smaller than a grain of sand," she said giving him a stern look.

"Now, listen well, because I will only tell you this once. Morgan is the one who is keeping his son EJ, as a prisoner. He feeds on the anger, leading him to it as a beacon. Therefore, I cannot allow it in this house, as dark shadow magic fills it and there is so much anger that cries out to him. It would make no difference even if they move because it would follow them wherever they go."

Then she stops as if the walls are listening as the ground shakes. There are whispers of evil as a frigid breath surrounds the room. With one push forward, Aggie does not touch the door as if energy surrounds her, and the door splinters into a million pieces.

Aggie shouts. "Quickly! Get out of this house!" Soldiers grabbed everyone in the living room, taking them outside to a safe location they had made for their escape. Aggie headed out the door, pulling Steve and Jim by the arm as they looked back. Out of nowhere, out of a blue-sky, watching lightning strike the house and blow out all the windows. Steve and Loraine gasp as they watch. The house was torn to shreds from the inside out, and then it disappeared, leaving nothing but piles of shredded old boards.

Neighbors screamed as they panicked, trying to find a safe place as the house fell back to the ground in the same spot, smashed to bits. Pieces fly everywhere on the ground against the side of other houses; the ground is burned where the grass was once green, and trees are now dead. Aggie and the soldiers look up in the sky and see dark riders circling about as they come down the road.

Linda screams, and the girls cry from fear as their father holds them tight. "Now, do you believe me?" Aggie asked as they got closer. Steve holds Loraine tight, and Doc's face turns white with fear. Aggie and the soldiers step out of the safe zone as they take on the dark riders.

Steve and Loraine watched, gasping as their swords blazed against theirs, sparks flying after each hit. Aggie is still protecting them with everything she's got until the soldiers kill the dark riders, but more are coming up the road. Soldiers quickly nod to Aggie as she summons her staff. It was time for the escape, sooner than she had planned and more with her than she liked, as she opened a gate with a flash of light to blind everyone else who was watching them. Aggie pushes her group of people through as the soldiers dive in at the last minute before it closes.

Aggie lights a small torch as her group looks around in a cavern only known to Aggie, for this used to be her home when she grew up. She spent a lot of winters here when she was at least a hundred, which was young by their standards as she thinks of all the good times—reading her first spell book her father gave her back then. Yes, what memories, fond memories? She dusted off some old chairs and crates for them to sit on while she started a small fire in the old fireplace. Linda screams as a mouse runs over her foot. Aggie grins. "It's just a mouse looking for some food, that's all."

Doc is busy studying some old pictures hanging on a wall with his hands clasped behind his back. Steve and Loraine are trying to get over the shock of what they saw and witness for themselves. They watch Doc smile back at Steve, as if it were nothing new to him, as if this sort of thing happened to him daily.

"Well folks," Aggie stands. "That's that. Your home is gone, not that I cared for it, anyway." She looked at Steve and Jim hard. "I told you, and I told you, Jim. You cannot scream in that house, especially in that room. He knows and will always know. He can find you no matter where you are because that anger draws him like bees to a honey pot. Even more so since he has your son and is looking for your youngest boy."

Doc and Steve just glanced at their eyes, for they knew where the boys were. Well, at least Doc does, and Linda smiles inside, but deep inside, it breaks her heart to look at her husband and that she cannot be with them. Aggie continues. "Jim, you must get that anger under control soon, or we will never be safe, unless you like being hunted down like a wild animal, because right now you are," giving him a stern look.

"Sorry," Aggie said, turning to Loraine. I'm sorry, we must deal with two boys who don't know how to behave." Aggie looked in their direction and said, "And put all of us in such danger. Sorry, Linda," she said, putting her arm around her. "I'm sorry your ungrateful husband and his brother got us into this mess."

Steve tries to open his mouth, then looks at Aggie as she pops her head around. He closes it. "But most of all, I'm really sorry that I can't change the fact that we are stuck together except for one person." She said as she looked over at Doc. He was the only one not affected. "So, I will do what I can for him, leaving you to think about the mess you're in while I bring back some supplies for our journey."

"Journey?" They squeaked out.

"You heard me. Good."

The six of them looked at her as if she were nuts. She taps Doc on the shoulder and smiles. "Shall we, my good sir?" she asked. Doc grinned. He looks at the group bewildered, as the two soldiers make things a bit more comfortable for them. Then he nods as Aggie puts her arm around him and whispers in his ear. He grins, looks at them all, and nods again.

"I couldn't agree with you more," grinned some more. "Yes, I think she can handle that. It would be good for them. It's no problem at all. I'll take care of it." Then Doc walked up to Steve and Loraine. "I'll watch over things while you're gone. I know just the people who are looking for a place for a while as caretakers for you. Please have a good time knocking some sense into your brother Jim, if it is possible, but I surely doubt it."

Doc kisses Linda on the cheek. "You, my dear, please listen to your heart, for your mind will always lie when it comes to your sons EJ and Danny. Sometimes, you need just to let them live their own lives how they want, not how you want them to. And you girls have a lot to learn about being sisters and need to learn that brothers are not dirt under your fingernails or something you can throw away. In time, you will realize you might need them, and they won't be there because you have thrown them too far."

Doc steps back and then nod to Aggie as she opens a gateway to New Downing in the back of Doc's hospital. He waves as they walk through it, leaving the rest behind to ponder the mess they left.

Aggie pulled together a list of things they would need, walking right into the Sheriff as she checked off her list. "Sorry, Nathaniel. I didn't see you there." Nathaniel looked around for Linda and growled. "Oh, don't you dare growl at me, you oversized two-headed lizard?"

"I thought I told you to stay with Linda no matter what?"

"I did!" she said, pushing her finger hard at his chest into a corner. Nathaniel grabbed her arm, dragging her behind the back of the building, casting a ward of silence around them. Aggie just stepped out, pulling his arm off him. "Unhand me, or I'll tie you in a knot." She reassured him they were all safe for the moment, provided Linda's husband and his brother could shut up for five minutes.

"What do you mean by all safe?" he asked.