Thread: Though They Walk Through The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death (Quix & Aurelia)

Adam half wished the couple had reacted angrily rather than with understanding and empathy. The older woman's departure reignited his earlier guilt, as he knew she'd be sobbing outside and had taken the care to ensure he and Eve wouldn't witness her break down. It almost shattered Adam's composure completely. To leave home the first time had been a simple decision. God's relentless tirade of abuse had driven them away, and neither had ever regretted it. However, this town, the store, Jerry and Betty, the entire non-judgmental community had been their safe-haven. They didn't have much of a life, but the one they did have was safe and secure and the residents accepted Adam and Eve for who they were. No-one lectured them, and no-one violated their privacy, although the couple always made it clear that they were there to speak to if the need or desire to do so ever arose. That proved correct now. He glanced at Eve and took a breath to gather his strength. This wasn't just about the two of them, or even ensuring Jerry and Betty and the townsfolk's safety. It was bigger than that. This mission was about the millions of human beings on the planet who were destined to spend eternity in Hell if David initiated Armageddon among them innocent babies and children, and those whose only sin was refusing to believe in or worship a sadistic Tyrant. When the entire fate of Humanity rested with you, no price of success was too high to pay. As Adam stuffed the shotgun into the canvas bag, Jerry's expression and tone further increased his resolve. The man knew. Not the details, but he knew that people would die by the siblings' hands and he'd given his approval. In the name of the greater good, and for them to soar, he and Betty would forgive any acts that the duo perpetrated. Regardless of how heinous they might appear to others. I don't know how to thank you. When he'd secured the gun and Jerry had addressed Eve, he placed his arm around her waist and nodded in agreement with her reply. She's the smartest woman I ever met. Before he could say more, Betty returned. The older woman's eyes were red-rimmed, but her demeanour exuded an aura of strength and determination. After she'd offered them food and graced the duo with motherly advice, she motioned them in for a group hug and couldn't have gripped her any tighter if he'd tried. As with Jerry, and unlike David and Mary in their childhood who'd been all about tearing their self-esteem apart, she demonstrated a belief in their capabilities. That buoyed the young man's spirits. By the time they could delay leaving no longer, his tears had dried up. He pulled Eve close and nuzzled her hair. It's okay. This is our true home, and it always will be. We'll return to help Jerry and Betty run the store. I promise. If he couldn't keep that promise, he'd die trying. Let's go. Forever aware of the time right time to remain silent and the right time to speak, Jerry did the former when he tapped a key against Adam's shoulder. The boy turned to accept it, acknowledged the man with a nod and mouthed, I love you, to both him and Betty. Shall I let you drive? Adam dangled the vehicle key in front of Eve. Nothing we'll face could be scarier than that, right? Even in the darkest of times, particularly in the darkest of times, jesting with Eve provided solace and helped lighten his depression. While the elderly couple watched on, he pressed a hand to her back, collected their bags and maneuvered his sister to the door. Outside, sat the battered pickup truck that Jerry had gifted them. We'll stop at a bank and withdraw all our money, then burn our ID. That way nobody will be able to track us or know who we are. We'll be ghosts in the night, Evie. At least until they reached God's den, and the final battle commenced in earnest.