The Sacrifice
Sarah went to the forest at midnight. Emma followed her. Under an archway of twisted trees, the Watcher appeared. Emma whispered,
“He wants me now because Ila fought.”
Sarah protected her, but the creature smiled and darkness enveloped them. By dawn, Emma was gone.
Following a map Emma had drawn, they found a clearing. There stood Liam, with black eyes, and Ila, glowing softly.
“You have to choose,” Ila said. “One stays, one goes.”
Emma appeared pale but alive.
—Ila helped me.
Sarah wept, hugging her daughter. But Ila calmly moved forward:
“I’m not afraid anymore, Mom. I know what I must do.”
Liam took her hand.
“If we both go, it’s all over.”
They threw themselves into the darkness together. A warm light burst forth. The Watcher screamed. The forest fell silent.
