Uncle Reginald was sitting with Gabriele. "Of course I'm going, but Gabriele is staying behind. I'm heading to the RV to try to talk Katie Bug and Belle into staying here. They're tough girls, but I don't want them to have to keep fighting to live."
Randi stretched. "I'll go with you to the RV. I've got to talk to Toni. She's not going to be happy, but she has to stay." Her voice broke and she blinked several times. She was closer to that little girl than she liked to admit.
Reginald stood and they left.
Josh walked into the kitchen. "Uncle Reg and Randi are headed to RV to explain to Belle, Katie, and Toni why they can't go with us."
"I guess that means I need to go talk to Tommy and Lori." Adriana swiped at the tears running down her cheeks.
"Why don't I come with you?"
They walked toward the RV, and Josh put his arm around her shoulders. "If you need to stay with the children and your father, Randi will understand, and I promise Ethan, Nia, and I will take good care of her."
"I'm torn. Both options are heartbreaking."
They walked in to Toni screaming that her mommy couldn't leave her. Adriana's face paled.
Randi gave Adriana a pointed look. "Toni, Aunt Adriana is staying here with you and the children. You'll be here with Grandpa and Aunt Adriana." She knelt and took Toni's face in her hands. "Honey, I have to do something to help fix this sickness that creates the monsters, and I need you to be a big girl and take care of your aunt and grandpa. They need you. I'll come back for you."
Adriana sobbed almost as loudly as Randi. "Are you sure you'll be okay without me, Randi?"
She hugged Adriana. "I love you more than you will ever know, and I want you to go with me, but your kids and my girl need you more than I do. Will you please stay and take care of them?"
Adriana swiped at the tears running down her face. "Yes," she whispered. Josh's stomach unknotted. He wouldn't have to worry about taking children along.
"But you promised me you'd never leave me." Toni's sobs grew louder. "You promised."
Randi pulled her into her arms. "Toni, it's only for a short time. I have to help."
"Then take me with you."
"Baby, I can't."
"I'm not a baby!" Toni pummeled Randi's chest with her little fists. "You promised."
"Let me talk to Josh and Adriana for a little bit. Can you go to the bedroom and wait?"
Toni stomped off and Randi looked at Adriana and Josh. "What do I do? I did promise not to leave her, but how can I take her with me?"
Josh's heart clenched at the pain etched on her face. He had no answers for her.
"I'll go with you and take care of her." Adriana brushed Randi's hair out of her face. "One child won't slow us down."
"What about Tommy and Lori?"
"They'll be fine with Dad." Adriana's jaw clenched. "Besides you need me."
"No. You will not leave your children behind. They've already lost their father, grandmother, and favorite uncle."
"We'll take Toni, but why don't you stay behind with the rest of the children?" Josh hugged Adriana. "They need you."
"Mommy?" Toni walked back into the room.
"Yes, honey?"
Toni climbed in Randi's lap and wiped her tears. "I'm sorry I made you cry."
"I'm just worried about you."
"Belle said I need to stay here with her." Toni's bottom lip quivered and tears ran down her face. "She's going to miss her daddy and mommy and wants me to stay with her. Will you come back for me?"
"As soon as I can."
"You promise?"
"Yes. I told you I wouldn't leave you, and I'm not. This is just for a short time." Randi brushed her hair out of her face. "Remember when Josh and I went to get computers?"
"Uh hunh."
"It's like that only I'll be gone longer. You have to mind Aunt Adriana and Grandpa."
"Yes ma'am." Tears continued to flow as she scrambled down from Randi's lap and ran back to the bedroom.
Josh's muscles relaxed. Traveling with adults was hard enough. "So it's the six of us. Does Ethan need the ambulance?"
"No. Gabriele and I talked. She said he's fine to go ahead." Reginald stretched his neck. "If we take the bus, it has more room and comfortable reclining seats."
"Since Vixen's group's gone, we can go by the place and fill up. I have a couple of diesel tanks stashed in the outer area."
"Good plan."
Josh walked inside to the empty kitchen. He stretched in a corner. He hated leaving those he cared about behind, but tomorrow would bring a new adventure and promises of a brighter future.
Continued in
Dark Days Book Three: Perseverance
About the Author
Marcy G. Dyer is a retired Registered Nurse and author. Like so many other writers, she began writing at a very young age, but never took herself seriously as a “real” writer until about ten years ago when she began taking courses and learning the craft of writing.
Marcy is an alumnus of the Christian Writer’s Guild and long-time member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She hosts a small critique group for ACFW and is involved in other critique groups.
She works in the nonprofit group, Doxa Kids. Doxa Kids provides an outreach for children in Kherson, Ukraine, and Nakuru, Kenya. She’s had the pleasure of visiting Ukraine twice and interacting with the street children there. God burdened her heart for these forgotten children when she climbed into the sewer tunnels to see where the street children live during the winter. For more information on Doxa Kids, please visit the Doxa Kids website.
Marcy also hosts a blog, Gimpy Gal, that discusses autoimmune diseases. While many autoimmune diseases aren’t visible, they still cause chronic pain and disability. If you would like more information please visit the Gimpy Gal website.
Also by Marcy G. Dyer
DARK DAYS
Book One: Contagion
Book Two: Inquisition
Book Three: Perseverance
DESERT WINDS
Book One: Down & Out
Book Two: Out for Blood
Book Three: Blood & Lies
Book Four: Lies & Alibis
Inquisition Page 31
