attacking?” Rob asks. He is anxious. He has to get to his wife. “Professor…? Why aren’t they attacking?”
“Preventing,” Kynar says. He turns his head to his Vaun and repeats his word. “Preventing.”
“Preventing?” Rob asks. He immediately thinks of it. “They’re, they’re trying to stops us from getting to Ann.”
“Yes,” Kynar says. He turns back to Ekabar .
“Run!” Professor says. He steps toward Rob and Kynar . He continues to show no fear of the Molawner Notav behind him. “Rob you must run to them!”
“Protect,” Kynar says. He steps forward ready to attack Ekabar .
Rick joins Rob at the front of the crashed car by the pole. He looks at his friend then to Sevol beside him. They both have their flashlights in their hand as he looks forward. He sees Notav fade into vision next to Ekabar . “Rob. We run. Sevol and Kynar will keep them off of us.”
“Go now!” Professor yells. His order instantly influences the two men. He watches as they start running toward the Fearling and Molawner .
Kynar appears behind Ekabar while Sevol appears behind Notav . The four beings engage in struggle as Rob and Rick run between them. The Professor walks to the front of the car as Rick and Rob continue to run. The four beings fighting fade from vision as the men put distance between them.
“Do not stop!” Professor yells as Rob and Rick turn the corner.
Rob hears the Professor as they turn down the well-lit street. He is not as fast as the younger Rick but he is keeping up. Ahead of them, several streetlights are shattered, darkening the upcoming part of the street, but they run without worry.
Ekabar fades into vision a few feet in front of Rob but as soon as he does, so does Kynar , tackling the Fearling to the side out of Rob’s way. Rob doesn’t stop. He keeps focus and runs as fast as he can toward his house.
CAFETERIA
James sits beside Rachel as the others start to gather around them. He sees the continuing fear on all of their faces as Rachel talks to everyone. “As long as we all stay together we will be fine,” Rachel says. She holds the boys hand as she talks about his family. “Rob will get the others and bring them back here. We will figure out what to do. We can stay here till morning.”
None of the Vauns like that idea but most know it is the safest course of action. They are praying that Rob and the others get to the house in time to help Ann.
“Do you think they made it?” James asks. He watches as Rachel nervously swallows when she answers.
“If they are not there yet they will be there very soon,” Rachel says. “Your dad will call us as soon as they are on their way back.”
“You know that your dad and Kynar will not let anything happen to your mom,” Nancy says. She reaches out to the boy with love and trust in her tone. “They will protect her.”
James knows that is true but his fear is not that. His fear is if his dad and the others can get to his mom in time.
Jeff admires the boy’s bravery and knows that the boy is very aware of the situation. He wants to say words of encouragement but he doesn’t know what to say. He knows that they just have to wait.
HOUSE
Ann, Julie and Stewart are in the middle of the living room with the one remaining working lamp between them. All three have their flashlights on as they scan everywhere expecting to see the shadowy image of the attacking Nanlar but there is nothing and hasn’t been for minutes.
“Should we run?” Julie asks. She doesn’t know what to do and is beginning to allow her fear to make her impatient.
“No,” Ann says. She is scared too but she remains in control of her fears. She cannot panic. “That’s what he wants us to do.”
“Mom,” Stewart says. His eyes tear as he looks up to his Mom. “I, I don’t want him to get us. Please don’t let him get us.”