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.

eyes searched her mother's face. "Mom.

smile, trying to be soothingly soft and firm at once. "No, baby, no

in class. I remember Mrs. Parker was teaching us," Emily murmured, confused as if piecing

is going to be fine, Emma whispered back, her voice full

welled up with tears. I don't wanna die, Mommy, she whispered in that high-pitched voice as the crack shook her firm hold of her

seized, and a surge of fierce determination coursed through her. She reached

yet gently, held Emily's gaze fast with hers-her eyes welling up with tears. "You will not die, Emily," she said, the full force of her emotion now making her tone firm,

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,

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 whatever was called for

up. 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

she needed new identities to fly below the radar-one that 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 her be mobile without turning heads, even close to Alexander, without raising

absolutely watertight. She signed the referral document for Emily's treatment at Blackthorn Hospital and so set the wheels in motion. By morning, her luggage

Tue, Dec 17 toti.

much, yet Mrs. Walker knew what lay in the balance.

the heaviness of her mother's worry yet strengthened by