A Hero In The Dark

Chapter 52: A Lot

"Dad, where've you been all this time? How did you find us?" Sam asks once the older man and Mogadorian-like boy take seats in the empty living room.

It's been 15 minutes since Henri invited them in and I can feel all the tension directed to the pale dark-haired boy sitting by Malcolm's side.

Malcolm glances to the dark-haired boy sitting beside him, then glances back at Sam. "Adam," he begins in answer. "He helped me find you. He tracked you to Chicago. But when we got there, you were already gone."

"Adam?" John questions.

The pale boy smiles grimly and clarifies, "Adamus Sutekh. Trueborn son of the great General Andrakus Sutekh."

"Wait. You're a Mog?" Marina asks with distrust.

The boy calling himself Adam nods simply. "I am," he says, then adds, "I understand if you doubt my loyalty, but I'll have you know, I do recognize the error in my peoples' ways."

"Adam is the one that rescued me from captivity," Malcolm explains. "I wouldn't have been able to find you all if it weren't for him."

We spend the next few hours chatting with one another, sharing stories, asking and answering questions, seeking information on the Sanctuary for our upcoming plans.

Until the sun begins to set, the last few rays of orange light peering through the broken window.

"I suppose we should get to sleep," Henri says once the chatter dies down and Ella lets out a serene yawn. "Tomorrow we arrive at the Sanctuary. We'll need to be alert."

While everyone prepares to sleep, John and I head upstairs to our shared bedroom.

It's been nearly an hour of continued tossing and turning. I'm having difficulty sleeping tonight. There's too much going through my mind.

From my continued training with Eneration and telekinesis. To this newly developed ability of being able to read minds and send thoughts to others. To the safety and whereabouts of my family. Not to mention the nightmares that continue during the night, and my last encounter with Setrákus Ra. And now, the new addition of having a Mogadorian among our group.

It brings a sense of unease.

I toss and turn, but that doesn't help. Even with Pixie lying at my feet, there's something I can't shake.

Why did Setrákus Ra want me so bad?

Why didn't he just kill me when my family and I ran away?

I still remember the way he looked at me that day.

Under my Father's arm. About to retreat into the forest.
He did nothing but stare and smile.
Stare and smile.
Stare and smile?

I sit up in bed; try to erase the image from my mind.

"Emily? Is everything okay?" John asks from his lying position on his side of the bed.

I take a moment before answering, "There's just a lot on my mind right now."

John sits up; puts an arm around me and holds me close.

"I understand," he says. "If you ever want to talk, I'm here for you."

I say nothing, letting silence pass by.

"He could have killed me that day John," I finally say.

"But he didn't," John interrupts, seeming relieved but confused as to why it matters.

"It means he wants me alive," I continue, finally meeting his gaze. "All the pain he's endured on me during my time in captivity... his motive has changed since then."

John squeezes me tighter in a sign of comfort and I lean into him.

"Whatever he wants Emily, he won't get it," he reassures. "I won't let anything happen to you."

I feel John's hands warm around me and I know he has activated his Lumen ever so slightly. I'm drawn in by the heat. It feels nice and allows me to forget.

John leans in to plant a soft kiss upon my lips. It's a long kiss and it lingers in the gentle air. Calmly and satisfied, we lie back down under the covers. We hold each other close, neither of us wanting to let go, until we both fall sound asleep.