Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 36

She sat by Emily's bedside, sinking in a storm of thoughts about the hospital, then felt a little squeeze on her hand. She looked down; a small, fragile smile appeared as sleepy eyes opened.

"Mom, where am I?" The voice was soft, confused, from Emily.

Emma gave a reassuring smile and brushed a hand over Emily's hair. "You're at the hospital, sweetheart. How do you feel?"

"Mais. I was at school," Emily murmured, her face scrunched up in confusion. Emma's heart ached with her innocence. She swallowed hard, fighting back the tears threatening to spill. "Yes, you were, baby: But you needed just a little check-up, so I brought you here while you were sleeping" Emily pouted, looking around the sterile hospital room. "But I hate hospitals."

Emma let out a soft laugh; she wanted to lighten the mood. "I know, I hate hospitals too. We both do-that's something we

have in common."

"Where's Ethan?" Emily asked, her voice barely above a whisper

"He's at home, safe and sound," Emma replied, squeezing her daughter's hand to give her comfort.

her mother's face. "Mom. am sick again? Am I going to

heart broke, but she forced a smile, trying to be soothingly soft and firm at once.

Parker was teaching us," Emily murmured, confused as if

is going to be fine, Emma whispered back, her

whispered in that

a surge of fierce determination coursed through her. She

tears. "You will not die, Emily," she said, the full force of her emotion now making her tone firm, her words almost a vow

small sobs. Emma rose to her feet, her heart racing with the whirlwind of her mind. The words from her daughter finally broke down the fragments of hesitation that she struggled to hold on to. She had sworn never to return to Blackthorn, but her daughter's life was much more priceless than some grudge, more than any

happiness far outweighed any perceived betrayal of the past. The determination solidified in Emma's mind. She needed to act now, no matter what that required. Her daughter came first, and she would do

The next morning, she would go back to her homeland; the only thing that mattered now was her daughter's life. The very thought of touching her foot again in Blackthorn soil sent a shiver down her spine, but

wouldn't trace back to her old life. Going by either Black or Moore would be like handing herself over on a silver platter. After some thinking, she settled on Smith as the last name and Carol for the first name. Common, ordinary, unmemorable-it was perfect. The name would let

files-everything to make her new identity absolutely watertight. She signed the referral document for Emily's

Tue, Dec 17 toti.

Walker knew what lay in the balance. She hugged her daughter tightly, her eyes clouded with apprehension and love. "Take care of yourself, Emma. Take

of her mother's worry yet strengthened by her support. "Thank you.