Hopes and Fears

eleven // Scarlett's trap

"Sometimes terrible things have to happen so beautiful things can happen."

The hill of the crossroads rose up, one side leading far to the sparsely-wooded heathland outskirts of Avonlea and the other snaking into the thick forest which crowded the bottom of the hill, leading to the centre of town. The day was darkening, the sun heading across the sky to afternoon and dark clouds gathering for unsettled weather.

Gilbert and Detective Ellwyn had just reached the crossroads when the figure appeared out of the hills at the bottom of the hill. He must have been coming from further out of town. As the figure rode up the hill path they caught the urgency in his movement and it stopped them in their tracks.

Getting closer, Gilbert recognised him. It was a boy from school named Cole. He was fairly new, only having joined a few months before and hadn't been seen in school for the past two weeks. He was quiet and reserved, his nose always stuck in a sketchbook. As he got closer he saw Gilbert and his pale, worried face brightened.

"Gilbert Blythe? Is that you?" He gasped, pulling the reins of his horse to stop and squinting through his tousled blond hair.

"Yes, it's me. What's the matter, Cole?" Gilbert asked. "Has something happened?"

"It's my family - I thought they'd get better but it's getting worse every day. It's the fever, Gilbert. My little sister, she... please help." Cole's voice sounded choked, fear alive in his eyes.

Gilbert was torn. He had medical skill, he could help Cole, possibly save his family. This fever was wicked, he'd seen it before whilst helping Doctor Rooke. It caught easily and worsened rapidly without proper treatment, making it a deadly illness. Cole's family could die... But Anne was in danger every moment Scarlett was out there too.

Gilbert swallowed hard and looked at the Detective. He had to trust him.

"You need to go on to Avonlea alone. My friends are searching the woods - the ones where it all happened. You must help them. Find her. Fix this. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Gilbert's eyes held such sincere worry that for once the Detective didn't speak. He merely nodded, understanding the grave situation.

"Don't let me down. This is your chance." Gilbert said vermently.

Cole looked between them, suddenly aware something serious was happening. He'd heard rumours about things that had happened in the Winter just gone involving Gilbert and Anne Shirley Cuthbert. Cole had never known the details but he wondered if it had anything to do with this exchange...

"I'm coming back with you, Cole. I will do my best to help you." Gilbert told the boy.

Cole's wide eyes filled with hope. "Thank you, thank you truly."

Jerking his reins, the blond boy set off down the hill towards the outskirts of Avonlea. Gilbert turned and watched the Detective ride in the opposite direction towards the centre of Avonlea where the woods were, where his friend were, where Scarlett was... Gilbert wished he could go with him, ensure it would all go to plan and guarantee that Scarlett would be put away. He wished he could be the one to tell Anne everything when it was over, to see her joy come back. Swallowing his regret, Gilbert jerked his own reins and set off after Cole.