LoveTober: In the World of Samaritan's Legacy

Chapters 15-21

10/15 The Dark

When she saw Mary return to the dining room a minute after leaving to tend to Hember, Embrith knew something was wrong. A few minutes earlier, Hember had been sent to the living area after nearly collapsing against the wall. In her eyes, the man who had become dear to her over the short time she had known him was ill. She wanted to go after him right when he was sent away, but she knew the kids had to be taken care of first.

That was why it took Mary a minute to go to him.

"Our new friend left," she said plainly and sat down at the center table. The room hummed with murmurs from the children as they were taught they could speak at the table, just that they must do it quietly so the adults could talk to each other clearly if needed.

"He left?" Embrith asked as though it was the most unbelievable thing she had ever heard.

"Lower your voice," Mary scolded. "Yes, he left. He's not outside, and the bathroom is empty, so don't ask."

Embrith set down the last plate for the oldest child and took off her apron. The other helper was eating with the

children, more unbothered than Miss. Mary.

"I'm going to get him; he said he'd eat dinner with us."

Miss Mary already blessed the food and had a mouthful as she pointed at the table with her fork, "Sit down. He's a grown man, and you're not his wife."

"But shouldn't..."

"Go later. Give him space."

Embrith looked to the other helper, but the older woman didn't even look up. She nodded while focusing on her food.

Conceding to the unseen wisdom of the woman she respected, she sat down and tried to eat. When one of the kids spoke to her, telling her that her cooking was tasty, she barely mustered a smile and thanks. During the entire meal, she struggled not to think of Hember.

What is it that he's fleeing from? Or is he running to it?

10/16 Gore

It's coming soon. The monster is beside us, creeping in the shadows of our own forms, outnumbering us. Darker than a moonless night and more vicious than a tyrant, it is the dusk of our kind and precedes us. It will ruin the world and threaten all that we treasure.

He saw his daughters lost in the death. She saw her sons left to their own weakness and wretchedness. Both become victims of the gore. Mothers will kill, and fathers will abandon. Worse will occur as a result of the times.

And we can never be prepared for it.

They will destroy us.

He watched as it happened in a time yet to come. He fought and suffered.

It would be upon them too soon.

Like tendrils just within our sight, they take the loved ones down to Hell, and their tears will be forgotten. They will cry, and their voices will be drowned by the failures of their life.

They will leave behind a brittle legacy as they are ripped apart.

But that time is not now.

Currently, other demons are faced—dangerous demons, nonetheless, but nowhere near what is to befall. Now, the loneliness that binds Hember and suffocates his flame will be a comfortable memory of what was. This does not take away from his distress. No, the same evil that approaches desires the man's demise.

What is present is just as true.

10/17 Bugs

Hember exposed himself to the harsh bite of cold air. Although it was the middle of spring, the chill of night was still present. Despite this, ants and beetles roamed around, doing what they were designed to do: forage, prepare, and survive.