Free Darkness Comes by A.C. Warneke

completely.
    “No.” But she heard the heartache in the short answer, the knowledge that he was going to have to abandon her.
    “Grandpa,” Toby’s quiet voice nearly killed her right there; she would do anything to keep him safe. And with the Aradian so close, she was already lost.
    “Hush, Toby,” Gus whispered softly. Letting go of Mal, he wrapped his arms around Toby to give the small boy some comfort.
    Without her father’s support, Malorie stumbled but Gus managed to grab her arm to keep her from falling completely. Just ahead was a picnic table; if she could sit for a few minutes; just a few minutes, maybe she could catch her breath.
    “Father, go,” Malorie said, breathing hard, barely able to remain standing, collapsing onto the seat. Even though her father had held most of her weight, it wasn’t enough; she couldn’t go on any further. Her body was boneless and it took all of her strength just to remain sitting; as soon as Toby was safely away, she would lie down and sleep. It was too late for her and her only hope now was for Toby; all that mattered was Toby. “Take Toby and go.”
    “I’m not leaving you, Mal,” Gus ground out defiantly, sitting down on the bench next to her, holding Toby in his lap.
    She looked at her son through half-closed lids, her shoulders slumped forward. Shaking her head, she swallowed against the lump in her throat as she reached out and touched Toby’s face. Moistening her lips, she whispered, “It’s too late, father; I can feel him; he’s so close; it’s too late for me. I need you to take Toby and keep him safe. Please.”
    “No,” Gus stood up defiantly, grabbing Malorie’s arm to drag her to her feet. Even with all of his strength, he could not move her. Her body crumbled back to the bench, her legs unable to support her weight. She could barely keep her eyes open and everything that she had left was focused on memorizing Toby’s features. With an anguished groan, her father sat down next to her so she could drink in her fill of her son.
    Toby wrapped his thin arms around her neck and she choked out a sob that threatened to consume her with despair. Burying her face in the bony curve of his neck, she held him to her, trying to speak with a lightness she didn’t feel. “I love you, you know.”
    “I know,” Toby tightened his hold on her. His little body shivered and she could feel his hot tears on her neck.
    Emotion welled in her and she felt as if she was going to break apart from the pain. She was so tired, so weak, and even as she held her son she lay her body down on the seat. Her hold on her son was loosening and she knew it wasn’t going to be much longer before she succumbed to the oblivion of sleep. They had to go. “Father.”
    Gus understood without her having to say it out loud. Gently, he pulled Toby out of his mother’s embrace, setting the small child on the ground next to table. Bending, Gus pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, closing his eyes to prevent the tears from falling. Softly, he murmured, “I love you, Malorie.”
    “I love you, too, father.” Turning her head to the side, she forced her eyes to stay open another moment longer and looked at Toby as tears streamed down her cheek. Holding out her hand for him, Toby stepped into her embrace. She smiled at him even though her heart was breaking, “I love you, Toby; I love you so much.”
    “I don’t want to leave you, mommy,” he cried, wrapping his thin arms around her neck once more and holding on as if he never meant to let go.
    “I know, baby,” Pressing her lips against his scalp, she kissed him, breathing in his little boy scent, the scent that she loved. She had to take a moment to prevent herself from sobbing aloud. “I know. But I need you to be safe and I can’t do that if I’m holding you back.”
    “Mommy,” his little voice wept.
    “Shh,” she comforted him, dying inside. Holding on for just another moment, another life time, she whispered, “Shh,