FanStory.com - The Unwilling Heir - Chap 28by Begin Again

ENDING OF CHAP 27

Esther's earthly form shimmered as she struggled with her fear. She glanced at Madeline, who tried to give her an encouraging smile, but her fear hung like a heavy mist. "I've been afraid," her voice barely a whisper. I've been afraid of what the truth might mean for all of us."

With a trembling hand, she reached into the folds of her gown, pulling out a piece of paper, its edges frayed from her nervous fingers toying with it repeatedly. "I believe it's the first clue. William kept mumbling about ancestry and this man." The surrounding air seemed to thicken with anticipation, as if the atmosphere held its breath, waiting for the truth to be revealed.

A rustling in nearby bushes caught both women off-guard, and they jumped to their feet. Fearing the evil ones were about to attack them, Madeline shouted frantically, "Who's there?"

Esther stepped in front of her friend, moving toward the sound. "It's okay, Madeline. Calm yourself. It's me they want."

Madeline clutched Esther's arm, her eyes wide with fear. "Esther, who's there?

*****

CHAPTER 28

Madeline's mind was a whirlwind of past horrors as she clung to Esther. Her eyes were wide with terror as she pleaded with her friend. "Esther, we can't stay here. We have to escape!"

"Madeline, calm down. They won't harm us." Esther's voice was steady, but the flickering of her form betrayed her uncertainty. She raised her voice, calling, "You can come out now."

Madeline was horrified. "Esther, how can you be sure that we are safe? It could be any one of the evil spirits. Please, we must go."

Lorrie stepped out of the bushes first, fussing with the branches caught in her gray bun and apron. James followed like a General in command. His face was etched with a mask of worry and urgency. Lastly, Sebastian's form, glowed with confidence, brought up the trio's approach.

Recognizing the intruders, Madeline was indignant and snapped, "For heaven's sake, James, are you spying on us?" Her body trembled with a mixture of anger and fear. Her voice softened slightly as she addressed Lorrie, "And you — I thought we were on the same side."

Lorrie shook her head and reached out to Madeline, but she jerked her hand away. "Tsk tsk, child. We've no time for your childish ways. You should be thanking us. We wouldn't be here to warn you if it weren't for Sebastian."

Still wary of why the trio was here, Esther spoke for the first time. "Warn us about what?" Her grip tightened on the piece of paper with the first clue. Her eyes darted from one ethereal form to the other.

Sebastian pointed behind them, across the river. "Look."

A colossal black cloud loomed in the distance, its swirling mass spreading a suffocating darkness over the landscape. The air turned frigid, and a chilling silence descended, broken only by the mournful cries carried on the gusting winds.

"The evil ones are coming," James said in a grave voice. "They know you have the clue and won't stop until they get it."

Esther's shimmering form faded and almost disappeared as his words settled around her. She stammered, "The — clue?"

The evil spirits drew closer, their twisted forms contorting and wailing. Their eyes, a demonic orange-red, glowed with an intensity that could only be compared to molten lava.

At the sight of them, Madeline's fear escalated into a piercing scream directed at her friend, who appeared frozen in place, her form diminishing by the second. "Esther, they're coming. We'll all be destroyed if we don't act now!"

With the last of her power, Esther focused on the black swarm. It moved with terrifying speed, ripping through the trees and the earth. The ground shuddered under the onslaught, and the sky darkened until it was pitch black, blotting out any trace of sunlight.

Lorrie's eyes widened in alarm. "We must move now! If they catch us —"

Madeline's heart pounded as she stared at the advancing swarm. She grabbed Esther's hand, her fear giving way to a fierce determination to survive. "We can't let them win. Think of William and your family. Don't you want to give them a chance? We can do this, Esther."

Esther's eyes welled with tears as her ethereal form took shape again. Her voice cracked. "I was afraid — of losing them all again."

Lorrie, her face stern, stepped forward and closer to the two women. "Enough of this dawdling! We've no time for emotional outbursts. We can sort this out later, but right now, we must move."

Esther hesitated as her eyes focused on the approaching storm of evil. "If I give them the clue —"

Sebastian finished her sentence. "Everyone will be doomed. There is no reasoning with the devil." His celestial form glowed brighter as he extended his hands to Esther and Madeline. "We'll protect you, but we must hurry."

In her usual fashion, Lorrie took charge, her fussy demeanor giving way to a sense of urgency. "James, you and Sebastion create a distraction. Esther, stay close to me. Madeline, we'll take the old path through the woods. It's longer, but it will keep you hidden. We need to move — now."

Sensing Esther's overwhelming fear and sadness, Madeline reached out to her, setting aside her emotions. "You're doing the right thing. It will all work out, but we need to escape." Her eyes darted toward the approaching dark cloud and back to her friend. "Come on. William needs you."

Madeline's words splashed against Esther like ice water, jarring her out of her stupor. Her eyes, brimming with tears, spoke volumes to Madeline. She knew she would do whatever it took to be worthy of such a wonderful friendship. She nodded and murmured, "I hope I'm right about the clue, for everyone's sake.

*****

James and Sebastian exchanged a grim look. James nodded at the women. "We'll do what we can to slow them down."

Sebastian, his celestial form glowing brighter in defiance of the threatening swarm of angry spirits, spoke. "But you must hurry. Every second counts. Once you are past the forest, they will retreat."

With a backward glance, the group turned and ran. Lorrie led the way into the dense underbrush as the howling spirits grew louder. Her stern facade masked her fear as she glanced back to ensure Madeline managed the terrain.

James and Sebastian sprinted away in the opposite direction, their forms blending in the shadows as they prepared to divert their foe.

"Lorrie, they seem closer. Are we going to make it?" Madeline panted as she struggled to keep up. Her words were barely audible over the screeching and howling following them.

"We're almost to the edge of the woods. We should be safe there."

Madeline stumbled and fell into the underbrush. She cried out in pain as a branch snapped and fell on her. Esther tossed the limb aside, pulling Madeline to her feet. "Give me your hand. I'll help you."

Exhausted, Madeline leaned against her friend, sobbing. "I can't go any further. Go — save yourself."

Suddenly realizing the two women were not behind her, Lorrie stopped and hurried back to them. She wrapped her arm around Madeline's waist, and Esther did the same. "We'll do this together." Her voice sounded firm and confident, not showing the fear bubbling inside her earthly form.

The menacing roar faded as they moved through the woods, but Lorrie pressed forward until they reached the clearing. They could see the rose garden and the carriage house in the distance. Each woman sighed with relief, her thoughts filled with what would come next.

When they reached the cottage, Lorrie opened the creaking door and ushered them inside. She stood in the doorway, looking for signs of James and Sebastian.

Madeline, her heart pounding, collapsed onto a dusty chair, desperately trying to catch her breath. 'What now?' she gasped, her voice barely a whisper.

Lorrie glanced at Esther, standing near the fireplace, mesmerized by the flickering flames. "I guess that depends on Esther, but either way, we must prepare. This is far from over."

The tension in the room was suffocating as Lorrie, her heart racing, watched for James and Sebastian. Each second felt like an eternity as she worried if they had made it to safety. She hadn't expected them to be that far behind, and the uncertainty was eating at her.

She felt relieved when she saw them walking through the wildflowers. Lorrie rushed out of the cottage and raced toward them. By the rips and tears in their clothing, she knew it hadn't been an easy escape, but she remained silent, knowing James would tell her later. For now, he had more pressing things on his mind.

James assumed the women were safe but asked, "Are Madeline and Esther in the carriage house?"

"Yes, I told them to wait there. Are you going to ask Esther for the clue?"

"Of course I am. After losing the book and the key, the clue might be our only hope of finding the treasure and getting redemption for all."

"I agree. At least it's a start." Lorrie pushed open the door, allowing Sebastian and James to enter.

Exhausted, Madeline was slumped over in the chair, fast asleep.

Lorrie's gasp echoed through the room, her eyes widening in disbelief. Esther, their only hope, was nowhere to be seen.