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Juan and Emma exchanged wary looks, but Rune was already walking to the door. While Juan took one more moment to study the activity in the street below, Emma walked over to Macy’s side.
“I know this is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do, but it’s the right thing to do for yourself and your son.”
Macy gave her the saddest smile. “What do I live for once he’s gone?”
It was a question Emma had grappled with for some time. She had found her answer at the Fort. “Yourself. I know it’s hard. Trust me, I do. But every life left on this planet is important. We all have a role to play.”
Macy studied Emma’s face, perhaps gauging her sincerity. “Do you really believe that?”
Emma nodded. “Now more than ever.”
Juan tore himself away from the window and hurried across the room to Emma’s side. The urgency in his stride spoke volumes. “Okay, Macy, make this fast. The runners are moving away from us and heading down the road. Once we exit the building, we’ll be in their sights.”
“Maybe you should just let them wander away,” Macy tersely replied. “It will give me more time.”
Juan’s green eyes were alight with his frustration and a surprising amount of anger. “We’re losing sunlight and there ain’t no assurances that they won’t double back and bring more friends. We got a chance to get out of here and we have to take it. You gotta do what you gotta do.”
Macy stared down at the blade clutched in her hand. “Fine, but I want to do this alone.”
“You got two minutes.”
Juan exited the room through the open doorway, clearly expecting Emma to follow. Instead, she rested her hand on Macy’s wrist.
“Love means sometimes letting go,” she whispered.
Her expression unreadable, Macy lifted her head. “I’m learning that. Thank you.”
Emma’s despair over her own loss threatened to resurface and choke her. Leaving the room, she quietly shut the door behind her. A terrible thought filled her mind and she forced herself not to barge back inside.
Juan asked Rune the question that Emma was wondering herself.
“Think she’ll do herself in?”
“If so, it’s her choice.” Rune tilted his head to gaze up through the broken roof at the late afternoon sky. It was growing gradually darker, stars poking through the dimming sunlight. “We can’t save everyone.”
“Yeah, I noticed,” Juan snapped, his irritation with Rune obvious.
The medium bristled. “I don’t know what happened to Ed’s group. I told you that.”
“Your ghosts are pretty worthless at times, “Juan groused.
Rune glared at Juan. He looked a little pale, but was steadier on his feet. “They came through when it counted most. Jenn
i warned us about the horde.”
“She’s the exception because she was always loca.”
“She made an effort to save all of us. That was her choice. I can’t control the ghosts. I can’t make them show up and tell me what’s up. I ain’t no fraud. I won’t lie.”
“Yeah, I know. Not like that John Edwards shit.”
“I’m legit. The spirits come to me. I’m their conduit. I can’t make them do jack shit. I get that you’re upset over Belinda, but now is not the time. We got other shit to deal with.”
With a curt dip of his chin, Juan brushed past Rune to watch the stairs. Rune remained near the door, his hand on the wall, eyes closed. Emma wasn’t sure what he was doing, so she lingered further down the hallway to give him space.
Two minutes ticked away, but Macy didn’t make an appearance.
Emma silently prayed that the woman wasn’t taking the easy way out. She knew how alluring that option was when everything seemed lost.
