Page 31 of Echos and Empires
But anxiety and uncertainty nipped at its heels like hungry wolves.
This was uncharted territory, a journey more daunting than any he’d faced before. But one thing burned crystal clear in his mind—he would give his life for the little child, no matter whose features it might bear. Beyond all else, he wanted to be a father, wanted to be everything that meant—selfless and protective. He rolled onto his side, gazing at Emma’s sleeping form beside him, her curly brown hair fanned out like a halo against the pillow. She seemed so peaceful there in the quiet night, her chest rising and falling softly with each breath, unaware of the turmoil ripping through him. He couldn’t help but wish for a moment that he shared her tranquility. Maybe he was a fool to be sooverwhelmed by what should be simple happiness. A sense of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders, as constant as his own heartbeat. No matter what happened, he vowed to protect her and this child with every fiber of his being. They would figure it out together, as a family. He repeated that word to himself like a chant, a promise to hold the growing uncertainty at bay.
Still, he lay there awake, the minutes dragging into an eternity of wrestling emotions, each more exhausting than the last. For every moment of joy, there was an equal wave of dread. How were they going to keep a baby safe in a world so full of danger? Would Emma’s excitement turn to disappointment when they found out the due date? When they eventually learned who the father was, would that change things between them all? Questions he couldn’t answer filled every corner of his mind, and the silence of the room made them louder. He felt restless and small beneath the weight of his own expectations. He had never been good at waiting and hoping, at letting things simply unfold. No, he needed to act, to do something—anything—that would make him feel even the slightest bit in control.
With a sigh, William carefully slipped out from under the covers, his movements deliberate and cautious so as not to wake the others. He needed to clear his head, to find a moment of solitude amidst the chaos of his thoughts.
Silently, he padded across the room, navigating the shadowy space with practiced ease. The wooden floorboards creaked softly beneath his bare feet as he made his way to the door, each step measured and intentional. He paused with his hand on the doorknob, glancing back at the tangle of sleeping bodies he slipped out of the room and prayed that Ranger wouldn’t give him away.
Thankfully, the dog was nowhere to be found, likely curled up on one of the empty beds as he always seemed to know to givethem space. The house wouldn’t be silent like this at night before he knew it.
And you’re ready.
Before the bombs, William hadn’t had any intention of being a father. Even after they fell, he’d wanted nothing to do with children, not wanting to bring any into the hell of this world, even though he knew all men should want to save the human race.
Then he’d met Emma and the idea of raising a child, of a little version of him mixed with her, changed everything.
The crisp, salty breeze caressed William’s skin as he stepped outside, instantly enveloping him in the island’s nocturnal embrace. The moon hung low in the sky, a luminous orb casting an eerie silvery glow across the landscape. Elongated shadows stretched across the ground, their dark tendrils reaching out like grasping fingers. In the distance, the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore whispered an ancient, hypnotic lullaby.
William inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with the briny air. The night felt alive, charged with an unseen energy that prickled at his senses. He set off along a narrow, winding path, his feet carrying him away from the sanctuary of their quarters and into the heart of the island’s mysteries.
As he walked, the path grew more secluded, flanked by dense foliage that seemed to lean in, as if eager to share its secrets. The leaves rustled softly, their whispers carried on the gentle breeze. William’s mind wandered, his thoughts a tangled web of emotions—joy, fear, uncertainty—all centered around Emma and the new life growing within her.
A figure emerged from the shadows, startling William from his reverie. A woman stumbled onto the path, her movements erratic and desperate. Her eyes, wide with terror, locked onto William’s, a silent plea for help etched into their depths.
“Please,” she gasped, her voice trembling. “I need your help. Something’s wrong...it’s my husband.”
William’s brow furrowed, concern flooding through him as he took in her frantic state. “What happened? Are you alright?” he asked, instinctively reaching out to steady her.
The woman shook her head, her gaze darting nervously over her shoulder. “He’s changed. Ever since he attended one of Victor’s seminars six months ago, he’s been different. I don’t know what to do. He’s talking crazy right now.”
A chill ran down William’s spine at the mention of Victor’s name. He had always harbored suspicions about the man’s influence, the way he seemed to hold the island’s residents under a strange thrall.
“Tell me more,” William urged gently, his mind already racing with the implications of her words. “I’m here to help.”
As the woman began to speak, her voice shook as if she were trapped in a tunnel of fear. William listened intently, his own unease growing with each revelation. The secluded path suddenly felt more ominous, the shadows deeper and more foreboding.
Whatever secrets Victor and his seminars held, William knew he had to uncover the truth. For Emma’s sake, for the sake of their unborn child, and for the future of the island itself, he would stop at nothing to protect those he loved from the dark undercurrents that threatened to engulf them all.
“Take him to the medical clinic. I worry that even in a safer world if you show up with another man, it could send him into a riot. I can walk you home, though.”
“No, no it was stupid of me to rush out. He was just talking about joining up with the security guards. My husband, he’s in a wheelchair!”
William hesitated for a moment, torn between his desire to unravel the mysteries surrounding Victor’s seminars and hissense of responsibility towards the distressed woman before him. The shadows seemed to press in closer, the night air thick with an unspoken menace that made his skin prickle with unease.
“Let me walk you home,” he offered, his voice gentle yet firm. “It’s not safe for you to be out here alone, especially in your current state.”
The woman nodded gratefully, her shoulders sagging with relief as she fell into step beside him. As they made their way back towards the main part of the island, William couldn’t help but notice the way the path seemed to twist and turn, the dense foliage creating a labyrinthine maze that threatened to swallow them whole.
The moonlight filtered through the canopy overhead, casting dappled shadows across their faces as they walked. The air was heavy with the scent of tropical blooms, their heady fragrance mingling with the salty tang of the nearby ocean. In the distance, the mournful cry of a night bird echoed through the stillness, its haunting melody sending a shiver down William’s spine.
As they emerged from the secluded path and into the outskirts of the island’s residential area, the woman’s steps grew more confident, her fears seemingly assuaged by William’s reassuring presence at her side. The houses loomed before them, their windows dark and shuttered against the night. A lone street lamp flickered, its sickly yellow glow casting long shadows across the deserted street.
“Thank you,” the woman whispered as they approached her front door, her voice now filled with gratitude. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come along. I know all you did was listen, but not telling me I’m crazy made all the difference.”
William offered her a reassuring smile. “You’re safe now,” he murmured, his gaze sweeping the surrounding area for any signsof trouble. “But please, if anything else happens, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. You’re not alone in this.”
The woman nodded, her fingers fumbling with the key as she unlocked the door. With a final, grateful glance over her shoulder, she slipped inside, the door closing softly behind her.
