Darkside 37

Tina paced around the room. It had been 4 days since she had heard from Bette. She hated not hearing from them. Alistair was on the floor playing with his trains. Addy was steady pulling his track up causing him to yell and her to giggle. 

KNOCK. KNOCK. 

“Come in.” Tina said. Kit walked in. 

“Has there been word?” Tina asked. 

“Sit down Tina. What I’m about to say is going to be hard.” Tina sat down on the edge of the bed. 

“Go ahead I think I’m prepared for anything.” Tina said. 

“Bette and Shane found Avery at the Sacred Lake.” Kit said. 

“Thank the goddess.” Tina said. 

“Shane arrested Avery for crimes against the crown and its people. She’s being held in the dungeon until her trial.” Kit said. 

“What?! She saved us all. She a hero not a criminal.” Tina said. 

“I know but the people only see the bad. Bette is coming up to take you and the children back to LA.” Kit said. 

“The only place I’m going is to see Avery.” Tina stood. 

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” Kit said. 

“I’m her mother why not?” Tina said. 

“Avery doesn’t want to see anyone. She won’t even see me or Bette. Shane is the only one allowed to see her.” Kit said. 

“That’s ridiculus.” Tina said. 

“But those are her wishes. We have to go now. There is no time to waste.” Bette walked into the room. 

“How can you agree to this?” Tina said. 

“I don’t but I trust Avery. She knows more than I do and she has her reasons. She promised to come home to us when all this over.” Bette took Tina in her arms. 

“How long?” Tina said. 

“Not long. Trial begins in the morning.” Kit said. 

“Which is why we have to go.” Bette said. 

“I don’t like it, but okay.” Tina said. 

“Mommy, Addy won’t leave my train track alone.” Alistair yelled snatching the piece from his sister. 

“It’s okay we have to clean it up we are going home.” Bette helped him scoop up the track into it’s case. 

********

“Are they gone?” Avery asked from her cell. 

“That’s them leaving now.” Shane pointed to the boat on the river. 

“Good. They don’t need to see what’s about to happen.” Avery said. 

“Now will you tell me what the hell is going on?” Shane said. 

“What must be done, my friend.” Avery sat down on the stone floor of her bare cell. 

“Why must you always be so fucking cryptic, It’s getting old.” Shane said. Avery pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. 

“Tell me a story.” Avery said. 

“This is no time for stories. I’ve got to figure out some way to get you out of this mess.” Shane paced. 

“Tell me a story.” Avery said again. Shane looked down and saw right past that tough exterior to the scared little girl asking to hear a story. 

“Once upon a time. . .” Shane started the story.