As Erik drove back towards the church, he heard the sound of explosions in the distance, coming from the direction of the town. Apparently, the thing was on the loose again. He needed to get back to Todd and Vickie. Though he didn’t really know what he could do to save them if the thing showed up at the church.
Vickie and Todd were anxiously waiting for him.
“Where’s Mark” Vickie asked.
“He’s with Dovecrest. He’s ok. They’re both ok.”
“What a relief. It’s destroyed the library,” Vickie said, softly, so Todd couldn’t hear. “It’s all over the news.”
“How are they explaining it?”
“It depends. Some stations are still using the terrorist thing. Others are claiming a gas leak.”
“Daddy, are we gonna be ok?” Todd said. “Is that thing in the woods gonna get us?”
“We’re gonna be ok,” Erik said. “Dovecrest is going to help us.”
“We’ve gotta kill the rock,” Todd said.
“Yeah. We’ll do that.”
Todd nodded. “I’m gonna go back and check out the computer again.”
Erik watched him go, then turned to his wife.
“Erik, I’m scared,” he said.
“Yeah. I know.”
“I started having contractions today.”
“Is it…near time?”
“I don’t know. They’re not regular.”
“I need to get you and Todd to the city.”
“No,” she said. “I think it’s too risky. We’d have to go through town. I think we’re safer here.”
He nodded. She was right, at least for now. If the thing was, indeed, at the library, he’d have to go right past it to reach the main road. For now, they would be better to stay put.