At End's Gate

OPEN DOORS

Claire opened the door." Doug, Emma," she said as she gave them a hug.

"Claire hello. This is Alexis," Doug said showing Claire his daughter.

"She looks so beautiful. She's all grown up," Claire said looking at the girl who seemed confused." Come in."

The family went into the house. Behind them were the Whites." Edgar, Laura," she said hugging them again." This must be Conner." She saw the boy looking petrified. She hugged him." It's going to be okay." The family entered into the house. Then she welcomed George and Melissa Cameron as well as their daughter Lisa.

David greeted his neighbours before addressing the frightened children. He couldn't make up the words so Lisa went on to ask," You guys knew each other?"

"Yes sweetie," Melissa said.

"Why didn't you allow interaction amongst us?" Conner asked.

"For your protection my boy," David finally answered.

"Oh no. You guys knew about this Dukilian guy all this time," Paige said hyper ventilating.

"Calm down sweetheart," Claire tried to comfort her daughter.

"You did. Oh Gosh. Are you guys drug lords or something?" Alexis asked with a concerned look.

"No. Sweetheart," Edgar said.

"Please tell me this is just a joke or a lesson and that this Dukilian dude is a friend of yours. We're sorry we were snooping." Blake said with his eyes red. He wanted to cry but was trying so hard to stay strong.

"Sorry son. This is serious," George said.

James was quiet due to confusion. He scratched his head for a while." Is this Dukilian guy serious?"

"Unfortunately James yes," Doug said.

"Listen to me all of you," David said looking at the children," Everything we did. We did to protect you. I need you to trust us. From today onwards you trust no one other than each other. You're now each others family."

"Why are you saying it as if it's good bye?" Paige asked in tears.

"It is my dear."

The girls started crying." Where are you going?" Lisa asked.

"Yeah where are you going?" James asked, now in tears. He was now aware that the situation was serious.

The parents all remained silent." Didn't you hear. Where are you going?" Conner asked with a loud voice.

"Sweetie calm down," Laura said.

"No mom. I can't calm down. Yesterday I didn't know these people. Today you're telling me that they are my new family as if you are all going to lead a civil war and die," said the crying boy.

Paige looked at her father." Daddy where are you going?" she asked in tears.

Her mother embraced her." Time is running out."

"Time for what?"

"Paige listen to me. I need you to be strong my baby girl. I need you to be brave. I need you to know I cherish every moment I had with you," the woman said in tears." I love you baby. I love all of you," she said hugging each of the kids. The other parents did the same.

When David was hugging his son James, he whispered into his ear. "You're now the father. Take care of your siblings." James nodded wiping the tears on his face. Paige heard this and she cried even more. Her father embraced her." I love you my darling." He then went to Blake," I know you were having bad feelings. You get that from your mother. Your siblings didn't tell me. Your mom and I could see. Be brave my boy." Blake embraced his dad." I love you." Paige cried even more after hearing such sentiments being shared between her father and brother.

"Conner we love you. Take care," his parents said hugging him. Paige saw the depression on his face. She looked at Alexis and her parents. She was crying and they were trying to strengthen her. She looked at Lisa who was clinging onto her parents. David went up to Conner. He signaled Paige to come closer." You two are the eldest. It means you're now the guardians. Do you understand that,?"

"Yes," they agreed.

"Gather around every one," he instructed as he went to where the weapons were." Children take these weapons. You'll need them."

"But we don't know how to use them," Alexis pointed out.

"Lexi sweetheart you just have to learn," David said.

A sound was heard at the back." It's time," Edgar said.

"Children follow me," Claire instructed. They followed her but they were walking slowly." Quickly!" she said. David and the other fathers went to all the entrances heavily armed to block anyone who was trying to enter the house. Claire and the other mothers were escorting their children. They reached the family office. Claire typed in a password that opened a door an underground room.

"Where did that come from?" Blake asked.

"Your father and I built a panic room when you were younger."

"Why didn't James and I know about this?" Paige asked.

"We kept you in the dark to not jeopardize your protection. Get in now," she instructed.

"Mom but we wanted to know how you know this guy and more about the painting," James said.

"Okay. All I can say is that the painting was a threat message and Dukilian Stone is the worst human being on this earth. I need you to stay in there no matter what, even if you hear our screams stay in there. In that room there's a screen that you can use to view the entire city. We won't go in with you because if we do people will come searching for us and find you. Our primary purpose is to keep you safe. You come out of this room when it's safe. You hear me!" The kids nodded." Good. The password you'll use to open the door to come out is the name of the snake himself, Dukilian Stone. One last thing, remember that we love you," she said closing the door.

Hope you liked this chapter. Enjoy and feel free to give me your views about it