The Word Sanctuary

Part 9

In front of her was her mother.

My darling, dearest Emmaline. How far you have come.

No! Emmy think-said. It's not right how Dad did this! How can I do this?

Suddenly, another figure appeared. A figure of a woman with wavy brown hair, faint, yet familiar.

Mira!

Her fellow protector smiled and rasped, Hello, Emmy. How are you?

HORRIBLE! The sanctuary is being taken over by none other than, drumroll here, my father! How do you think I am?

Mira's smile faded. Oh, Emmy, I'm sorry. I wish I could be there. I really do. Except, well... She looked down at herself.

Wait... Emmy gasped. Are you... dead?

Close, Mira breathed. That's why my image is flickering. I'm still half alive. I gave off almost all of my life force putting the Hated Creatures in an immobilized state. Mira coughed, and wheezed.

She was losing her ability to speak.

Emmy stared at her friend in amazement. Mira really was like her mother: brave and true.

But... then I'm alone. Emmy frowned.

Her mother spoke this time, as Mira was getting worse. Yes, all of the other Protectors were killed. You have to understand that nothing as bad as this has ever happened to this place, or any other part of the domain. This is new, and you are the only one who can save the sanctuary. You are someone who has felt both harsh sorrow and pure love.

Emmy paused to take that in. What sorrow and pure love had she seen?

She had the answer for sorrow. She had seen her mother die of cancer. She had seen her new home be destroyed by Hated Creatures. Sorrow was her life.

What love had she seen?

She went through her memories in search of it.

She had come to California, thinking her parents just loved the place. But it was home to a place Emmy only imagined in her wildest dreams. Having lost her home and whole life, this place had been somewhat of a sanctuary, a place for her to heal words and heal in. It was... pure love.

That was it!

Mira and her mother smiled down at her. That's it, Emmy. Use that. Give back everyone's words

The image faded. Emmy opened her eyes.