Eyes of Time: The Final Line ✓

Chapter 32: the Family of Blood

[Village hall]

"Make your decision, Mister Smith," Jenny grins widely.

"Perhaps if that human heart breaks, the Time Lord will emerge," Baines remarks.

The Family quickly shifts their gaze, enticed.

"It's him!" Baines shouts.

Taking advantage of their distraction, Martha elbows Jenny, wrests the gun from her, and yanks her into a hold, using her as a shield. She aims the weapon at Baines.

Ally glances around, then touches her fob watch. Her eyes narrow. In one fluid motion, she stomps on Clarke's foot—he yelps—and drives an elbow into his chest, doubling him over. She ducks out of the line of fire and knees him hard in the gut, ripping the weapon from his hand. As he collapses, she levels the gun at him, hand still gripping the watch.

The dancers gasp. John narrows his eyes at the movements—they're familiar, like something from a dream.

Martha's hands tremble, but she quirks a smile at the Alchemist, who's holding steady.

"One more move and we shoot," the Alchemist calls out.

"Oh, the wife is full of fire," Baines taunts.

"And you can shut up!" Martha shouts.

Martha fires a shot at the ceiling.

"Careful, Son of Mine," Clarke says as he slowly sits back up, wary of the barrel in his face, "This is all for you, so that you can live forever."

"Shoot you down," Baines says, training his gun on Martha.

"Try it. See what happens," she sneers.

"Would you really pull the trigger? Looks too scared."

"Do I? Do I look scared?" the Alchemist asks, stepping forward, gun steady.

"Scared or strong and holding a gun's a good combination," Martha glares, "Do you want to risk it?"

The Family glance at each other, then lower their ray-guns.

From her table, Joan rushes over to John, frightened and confused.

"You have this, Martha? I need to go back in," the Alchemist asks, voice unwavering as she lowers the weapon and holds it out.

Martha nods and takes the gun, aiming both now at the Family.

The Alchemist releases her grip on the watch and backs up, then sprints toward her husband.

"Doctor, Ally, get everyone out!" she shouts, "There's a door at the side—it's over there. Go on. Do it, Mister Smith. I mean you."

Ally bolts to the side door, yanks it open, and calls, "Everybody out, now!"

"Do what she said. Everybody out!" Joan echoes, "Don't argue, Mister Jackson. They're mad—that's all we need to know. Susan, Miss Cooper, outside—all of you!"

The villagers rush toward the exit, screaming in terror.

"Move yourself, boy," John commands, "Back to the school—quickly."

"And you. Go on. Just shift," Martha shouts, standing firm in front of the Family.

"What about you?"

"Mister Smith," she replies, "I think you should escort your friend and wife to safety, don't you?"

[Outside the village hall]

"Mister Hicks, warn the village. Get everyone out," John cries, before placing a hand on a boy's shoulder, "Latimer, get back to the school. Tell the headmaster..."