"Walter, are you full yet?"
Evan dashed over to Walter, his bright hazel eyes wide with curiosity.
Walter nodded. "Yeah, I''m stuffed. Why?"
"Come on,e on, let''s get back to your fort. I want to learn that silencing trick!"
Evan grabbed Walter by the arm, dragging him along. After a few steps, he spun
around to call back to Bernard and their mentor.
"Bernard, Uncle, don''t look for me tomorrow! I''m skipping martial arts. I''m gonna
learn how to make-"
He caught Elysia watching and quickly changed course.
"-uh, fireworks! Super cool fireworks!"
The two older guys exchanged a look. "..."
They weren''t thrilled about their student getting stolen, but honestly, they had to
hand it to Walter-the guy had real skills.
Elysia, for her part, didn''t really get what was so impressive about it all. To her,
Walter was just a guy with a knack for making fireworks and little inventions.
She called after Evan, "Be careful, you two."
Evan grinned. "Don''t worry, Mom, Walter''s got my back!"
Evan was the kind of kid who loved a good brawl, was always up for an
adventure, obsessed over martial arts, and totally geeked out over anything that
exploded or had gears and wires.
***
Life went on like that for days.
Everyone was busy, chasing their own dreams and passions. Elysia, mindful of
her grandmother''s concerns about the future of medicine and her own baby''s
health, worked hard to learn everything she could about holistic healing.
The kids all dove into whatever fascinated them, each determined to reach new
heights.
By the end of August, the antidote was finally ready.
Which meant it was time for Elysia and the kids to leave the mountain.
The elders knew they couldn''t keep them there forever, so they walked the family
a long way down the winding path, saying their goodbyes.
Partings are always bittersweet.
The kids cried their eyes out, and even the old folks had tears in their eyes.
Tracey wanted Baby to stay, but the
little girl was still too young to be
apart from her parents. Tracey not
wanting her great-granddaughter to
suffer, let her go.
"Elysia, I''ve recorded a set of lessons
for Baby. Teach her for me. When
the time is right, I''lle find
you or you can alwayse back
up here."
Elysia''s eyes were red as she nodded. "Okay."
Baby clung to Tracey''s hand. "Don''t be sad, Great-Grandma. I''ll carry the g for
you!"
She didn''t really know what "carrying
the g" meant, just that her
great-grandma worried about it. If
she carried it, maybe
Great-Grandma wouldn''t worry
anymore.
Tracey hugged her tight, tears welling up. "Good girl. My brave Baby."
Meanwhile, Bernard was saying goodbye to Evan.
His eyes were watery, and the stubbornness seemed drained from him-he
looked suddenly older, all the scars on his face deepening his frown.
The two of them bickered constantly, fists flying more often than not. But
underneath it all, they were still family.
After a long silence, Bernard said gruffly, "I''ll watch over Evan. I''d die before
letting anything happen to him."
Bernard scowled. "You''re not allowed to die! We haven''t avenged your aunt yet.
You have to stay alive, you hear me?"
Walter just knit his brows and said nothing.
Evan wiped his eyes, gaze fierce. "Don''t worry, Bernard, Uncle. I''ll make sure we
get justice for Auntie."
The two old men just sighed.
After saying goodbye to Elliot and Elijah, Walter came over and handed Evan a
sh drive.
"Hang on to this. It''s got all the stuff you love-you''ll have plenty to tinker with."
Evan''s eyes lit up as he threw his arms around Walter. "Thanks, Walter."
Walter ruffled his hair fondly.
"Remember our motto?"
Evan grinned. "Of course! ''Honor is found at the edge of a de, and truth is in
the range of a cannon!''"