By E. A. West
Arvin burst into the cabin. “We’ve got a problem.”
“And what problem would that be?” Salya knitted a few more stitches. “Has the goat escaped again? The cart hit a rut in the road and dumped the milk?”
Another overblown problem to add to the list.
“They’re back, Salya.” He shut and locked the door, then yanked the curtains over the window. “I saw them in town.”
“Saw who?” She laid aside her knitting, her previous amusement fading.
“The Angsley boys. They’ve come back, and they’re asking around town about you.” Arvin knelt beside her rocking chair and grasped her hand. The fear in his eyes frightened her more than his news. “I told them you were living on the far side of town and driving the old men at the general store crazy.”
Salya trembled. Why had they come back? The three Angsley brothers had made her life miserable, had revealed her secret to the entire town. After her fire spirit had blazed out of control and burned down their family’s ramshackle house, they’d left town and sworn they wouldn’t come back until they found a way to make her pay.
That was five years ago. Surely they weren’t still holding a grudge for what had been an accident by a teen girl just learning about her powers.
“How do you know they aren’t trying to find me so they can apologize for the way they caused everyone to fear me?” She was grasping at straws, and she knew it. But she had to do something to block the memories of looking out her window at the Angsley boys leading a lynch mob. Thankfully, cooler heads had prevailed that day, and she’d been left alone, but the fear that they would try again had haunted her ever since.
“Because they have the Extinguisher with them.”
The name sent a fresh wave of terror through her. The Extinguisher was known for his ability to cripple anyone with a fire spirit. People like her rarely survived an encounter with him.
Arvin rose and pulled her to her feet. “You have to get out of here before they figure out I lied to them.”
Salya ran to their cramped bedroom and threw a few clothes in a bag. Arvin followed but stopped in the doorway and made no move to pack.
“Hurry!” she said. “We don’t have time to waste.”
“I’m not going with you.”
“What?” She stared at him, her heart sinking. “Why not?”
“Because you can hide more easily on your own.” He crossed the small room and embraced her, burying his face in her hair. “This is the only way I can protect you.”
“No.” She shook her head as he stepped back. “No, I won’t leave you behind. Do you have any idea what they’ll do to you?”
“Yes, they’ll torture me for information, and that should give you enough time to get away and hide your trail.” Arvin touched her cheek. His voice broke. “Please, Salya. You have to go without me.”
“I can’t. I need you.”
He placed a hand on her gently rounded stomach, the anguish in his face breaking her heart. “You have another who needs you more.”
Tears burned her eyes. He was right. No matter how much she hated it, how much it tore her apart, she had to leave him behind. She covered his hand with her own and met his gaze. “I will do my best to ensure our safety.”
She grabbed her bag and hurried to the kitchen. After shoving some food into a cloth sack, she embraced Arvin one last time.
“I will love you forever, my husband.”
“And I you, my dear wife.” He kissed her tenderly, then picked up her bags and handed them to her. “Now go, as fast as you can.”
She hurried out the back door and flew toward the forest. Every step felt like it unraveled a piece of her. Once in the safety of the trees, she dared to look back at the small cabin—the place she’d called home since her wedding nearly a year ago. In the distance, four horsemen approached on the rutted country lane.
Tears blurred her vision as she turned away and headed deeper into the forest.
She laid a hand on her belly and spoke in a broken whisper.
“You have the bravest father that ever lived. One day, when you are old enough, I’ll tell you of the sacrifice he made so that you and I might live.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Boys are Back in Town? Thin Lizzy
Great story!
You’re correct! If you’re a member of the Havok Horde, you’ll be automatically entered into a drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card at the end of the month.
Thanks! And excellent guess.
WHAT an ending *sobs* This was beautiful. Fantastic. THE EMOTION. I love it.
Thank you so much! :)
Loved it! Would agree with Stephanie on the song of inspiration.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! And your song guess is correct. :)
This kept me engaged the entire time! You made me feel Salya’s emotion in just a few words. Great job!
Thank you! :)
Interesting story.
No! That was too short! I need to meet the Extinguisher, and everyone else…!
Sigh
Good story! 😁
Such a good story! I want more!!!