"Edward?" John Jackson stands up, pushing his chair back. Everyone winces when it makes an awful squeaking noise. "What are you doing here? This is a private council meeting. I thought I told you to never interrupt a meeting. You know that." Edward hasn't moved and is still standing at the door. Voices outside get louder and he quickly shuts the door.
"What is it Edward? Is everything alright?" Leanna stands and walks over to him. The others watch as an eight year old Edward tears up and runs to hug his mother. She bends down and squeezes him tight. His head rests on her shoulder and he doesn't want to pull away.
"They're coming. They don't want you here anymore." He finally pulls away to look at everyone. His voice is small, and the room becomes dead silent.
"Who's coming?" Caitlin asks, barely a whisper. She is pale, and Mark takes her hand. She closes her eyes, waiting for an answer. Edward stands there, not answering.
"It's ok, son. Who is coming?" John is firm but gentle. Leanna reaches out to her son, but he steps back.
"I'm not supposed to be here." Edward looks around like he doesn't know how he got there. "They're going to kill me too." He squeezes his eyes shut and then reopens them.
"I can't be here." He says again. Lisette stands and slowly walks toward him.
"You are ok. Who are the people you are talking about and where are the other children?" He stands still but won't look at them.
"You all have to leave, you're not safe." Edward takes a deep breath, ready to tell them everything, but all of a sudden there is pounding on the door.
"We know you are in there. Come out slowly. Hands in the air." Someone shouts from the other side of the door. Everyone starts rushing to the escape door but someone from the other side is holding it shut. Margaret rushes to Edward and bends down.
"Edward, keep them safe. Elisabeth and Evangeline. They look up to you, please look after them." She gives him a quick hug and then walks over to the other group. Leanna and John rush over. They both hug him, he looks up at them confused.
"Goodbye, my son. We have always loved you, remember that. We didn't want it to go like this but unfortunately there is no other way." Leanna kisses the top of his head and they bring him over to a large painting on the wall and pry it open. John picks his son up effortlessly and puts him in the passageway. Flames are making their way around the perimeter of the building where the townspeople must have poured gasoline.
"Follow it to the first ladder. It will lead you right outside the building. You will be safe." John reaches out and squeezes his shoulder.
"This isn't goodbye." Edward cries out. Fully sobbing as he realizes what is going on. He tries to step out, but John shuts the picture back in place and Edward is placed in darkness.
