Please read the Chapters 1-5 of my story A Dark Place first. This story is the alternate ending of the story and will start after chapter 5 of Dark Place.
1815 - Into The Light - Chapter 1 - Chaos
MIKE
The storm poured rain down on Mike through the destroyed roof of the barn. Carefully he slid along the barn wall to risk a peek outside; the shock still stuck in his bones. The sight made him freeze. The massive dark storm wall had come close fast, and was about to hit the orchard. Mike witnessed in horror how the storm raged through the tree-lined road knocking them down like ninepins. He had to get into the main house. The barn offered practically no protection from this kind of storm. He couldn't imagine it but maybe the others were still asleep; he had to warn them. He had to act fast. The storm would be over them in minutes. „Lord, please let them be okay," Mike whispered as he ran outside toward the house.
The wind hit him full force. He tried to run but had to watch out for bigger debris that flew through the air. A roof tile rushed by and he was hit by some smaller stones. He made it to the front yard, pulling himself along the metal fence around the veranda. A window shutter that had loosened clattered above him. It got blown off its hinges and burst through the roof of the veranda, hitting the spot right next to where Mike had been only a second earlier. He jumped to the front door, ripping it open.
Mike pushed the door shut against the wind and there was silence for a moment. breathing heavily, he stared shocked at the closed door. Then he began shouting as loud as he could. „WADE! EVERYONE, UP!"
He heard doors above. George and Bastian's faces looked down to him. Then Wade came running down the stairs already dressed. „Mike did you see that outside? Hurry, everyone downstairs!"
„Aye, I was outside. A massive storm is coming toward us!"
At that very moment the windows next to the entrance burst with a deafening clatter followed by a rumbling that shook the whole house. Mike jumped toward Wade to cover him, bringing them both to fall in the broken glass.
The others were on the stairs running to help them. The wind scattered leaves, smaller branches, dirt, and salty sea air through the hall. They needed shelter. Mike thought of a room without many windows or outer walls. "Into the kitchen storage!" he decided. It was not ideal but the best they had at the moment. George helped him up while Wade ordered Bastian to take care of Clara.
Wade crossed the hall in the other direction. „I'll get mother and father. Hurry!"
Mike and George were on his heels a second later to help him. Samantha came out of Mrs. Wilmington's room with Priscilla hooked to her arm. George guided the two quickly to the kitchen. Mike saw Wade running to the other downstairs room where his father resided when something massive was smashed against the outer wall where Mr. Wilmington's room was.
„WADE!" Mike hurried to the door that his friend ripped open. The room looked like a battlefield in the woods. The cedar that stood in front of the house had come crashing down, ripping open half the outer wall and parts of the hallway.
The tree had been driven into the building like a battle ram. The storm still plucked boards from the destroyed house side. Wade was desperately trying to push one of the heavy branches up, the roaring storm all around them. Mike saw an arm under the log. „WADE!," he shouted.
Wade turned his face to him. „Help me, Mike! He is buried under the tree."
Mike could see that clearly. Mike didn't think twice. He saw the fear in Wade's eyes. He would do everything in his power to save Henry.
Henry screamed in pain when the two strong men lifted the tree as far as possible to get him free. Mike pushed as hard as he could. Together they were able to lift the log. He was sure he could hold it up long enough. „Pull him out, Wade!," he pressed out. "I can hold it that long ."
Mike felt his muscles protesting against the heavy weight. Wade did his best to pull his father away. Mike's muscles began to shake. „Hurry Wade!"
„I got him," Wade shouted before Mike let go of the branch, jumping back to not get hit. He couldn't have held it longer. Breathing heavily, Mike dared looking up through the ripped open wall where the storm raged. It was surreal. He saw a huge part of a metal fence being thrown toward them. Turning fast, he jumped on his Brother, bringing Wade down next to his father. The fence was driven into the wall only inches away from them like a giant had thrown it to kill them.
They grabbed Henry and dragged him through the hallway which was plastered with dross, dirt and rain, and further into the kitchen where Bastian and George waited to help them into the storage behind the kitchen.
Mike checked if everyone who had been in the house was here and more or less unharmed. Clara had Mrs. Wilmington in her arms, calming her. George checked on Mr. Wilmington's injuries and ordered Samantha to bring him some herbs from the shelves. The storage room was a good choice. It had no windows and though it was on an outer wall it led to the backside of the house where no trees stood. They had placed Mr. Wilmington in the middle and all sat nearby in the small room. Bastian shot him a concerned gaze while Wade held his father's hand whispering comforting words to him.
George pulled his belt from his waist to stop the bleeding. Henry didn't even flinch when George secured the belt tightly around his upper leg.
The tree had not only buried him but also ripped his thigh open in a gruesome ragged wound. Though Wade's father didn't feel the pain in his lame limb, life faded slowly but constantly in a puddle of red pulsing with every heartbeat from the injury.
Then Wade turned to Mike, pulling at his sleeve. "Mike, he wants to talk to you."
Mike didn't understand at first but followed Wade's request and came closer to Henry.
Mr. Wilmington grabbed his hand with a firm grip. "Mike, …. I don't want to pass away with unfinished business. I was wrong about you, … Mike. You saved my life today, though I brought so much misery to yours. Can you forgive me?"
Mike's eyes filled with tears. Why did it take this stubborn man's death to finally give in. He swallowed hard. "Aye, Sir. I forgive you."
Henry smiled, relieved. "You are a good boy. I was only too blind to see it. Take care of my son. He is lost without you." Mr. Wilmington's grip weakened. "Where is my wife?"
Priscilla hurried over, steadied by her daughter-in-law. She locked hands with her dying husband. "I'm here, my love. I'm here …" Clara stayed at her side and soon Henry took her hand too.
Mike retreated to give them some privacy. Wade leaned in shock on the wall next to him, staring at his parents. He didn't know what to say to his Brother and decided to just put an arm around him. Wade leaned in instantly, grabbing his forearm too. Mike felt him shaking in fear for his father. It didn't take a physician to see that all their efforts to save him were useless.
*** EST ***
23rd September 1815, 10am - Newport, RI
DIANA
Marcus avoided her ever since they arrived home from the wedding. He had traveled to Providence to his second ship company to care for business as he called it. He had taken Paul with him and left the house to Diana and Annabeth.
Diana saw it as a relief. Though it felt like the silence before a storm, she enjoyed having the house only for her and Cole.
After breakfast Annabeth cleaned the table and she retreated with her little boy to his room to play with the wooden blocks Wade had gifted the boy for his birthday.
"That is an impressive building my dear," Diana said at the sight of a seven block high tower Cole proudly presented her between other buildings." She gave the construction the close attention that is asked of a mother and smiled proud about her boy who had walked over to the window.
"Mama, the tower is falling down," Cole said.
Diana giggled, while turning to him. "No Cole, it's still standing, see?" She wondered what Cole was looking at because he was obviously not watching his blocks. She got up too and neared the window that had a good view over the town and the harbor. The storm had increased badly and now high waves splashed against the high solid rocks around the lighthouse in the distance.
In shock she saw what Cole had meant. The bricks of the lighthouse tower ripped away by the storm that played with the heavy stones like they were leaves in the wind, driving them towards them.
"COLE! AWAY FROM THE WINDOW!" Seconds before the impact with the window she grabbed Cole and pulled him out of the way. The bricks hit the glass and exploded it into razor sharp pieces which flew through the room mixed with the heavy plaster stones.
Cole began screaming in her arms. Diana grabbed her son and ran to the door to get into the hallway. "Anna! Where are you?"
Annabeth came out of the kitchen door. "Miss Diana is everything okay. I heard something burst."
"A storm, Anna, we have to hide somewhere safe," Diana explained while she hurried downstairs. "It burst the window in Cole's room." Cole didn't stop crying in his mothers arms.
*** EST ***
WADE
The storm raged until the middle of the day. His father had died not long after he had asked for his mother. He knew his father wouldn't survive when he saw the wound, as well as George's concerned look. His father knew too, or he'd never have made peace with Mike.
Wade felt empty. His mother cried in Samantha's arms since his father had taken his last breath. Wade had no strength left to offer any kind of comfort and was grateful for Samantha's assistance for his mother. Glad to be held by Mike and Clara, he just stared at the other wall.
Mike shifted and took his arm from him. "We should see if the storm is over," he said while getting up. The noises of destruction outside had lessened and for a while there was only a slight wind and the constant dripping of rain to be heard. No one stopped him as he walked to the door. Everyone looked at Mike as if opening that door would cause the storm to come in and erase the rest of the inhabitants.
No one dared saying anything since his father had died. The tension in the little room was crushing. Wade was grateful that Mike soon came back, telling them the storm had headed further north east.
Wade got up, he was the head of the Wilmington's now. Though he already had taken over the business and most of the house it was different to know that he could no longer go to his father for advice or to tell him what had happened today. Everyone looked at him when he stood up. He would have to say something. "You heard Mike. We should look at what we can fix outside. I hope Gabe and the other workers have found some shelter too." Slowly the others began to move. "Samantha, find a room where Mother can rest, please."
"Of course, Mr. Wilmington," the young girl said, guiding Priscilla out of the storeroom.
The damage to the main house was immense. Not only had the tree ripped open the whole side of the house. The floors above weren't safe to enter. The front windows were broken and branches of mud and leaves were everywhere in the house. Wade told Clara to stay with his mother. He wanted to inspect the damage outside.
Together with his Triad he headed out the main door. The trees along the street were nearly all broken and barricaded the road to Glastonbury. Wade checked the sky for any sign of a following storm but there was none. Like Mike had said the storm front had crossed by and was now only a faint shadow that drifted north eastwards. He hoped Diana was safe.
The rest of the property was wasted like a battlefield. Only five of the apple trees were still standing. Most were uprooted. Wade was glad that his father did not see that.
Wade glanced at the worker's house. It was still intact; only a few roof shingles were missing and a window was broken. The stables had been hit by the old oak though the tree was only broken; it looked like the building was buried under the crown of the tree. "Bastian, George, go and check the worker's house. Mike and I will head to the barn and see if we can save some of the horses." He got no response from the two and glanced over. Bastian was white as a sheet at the sight of the destruction. They had to check on the Summers. How bad had the storm hit Hartford? First they needed at least two horses. "Bastian, go with George," he ordered once again.
Mike went over to Bastian, taking his face between his hands. "Bastian, we'll head to your family right away. We'll get the horses and ride, I promise. Go with George and check on the others. We'll come and get you in a few." Bastian finally nodded and went with George. Mike gave Wade a nod, heading to the stables.
It was a miracle not a single horse was dead. Some got hit by planks which had been ripped off by the storm but it seemed like they would have no losses on this side. Mike was already with his stallion and calmed the horse.
After gathering Bastian and George's mounts they rode to the worker's house. Gabe came toward them. "Wade, is everyone okay?" he asked.
"My father died, he got hit by a tree. All the others are okay."
Gabe was shocked. He was working here for so long that he was almost counted to be part of the family. He knew his father for years. "I am so sorry, Wade. Is your mother alright? Can I do something?"
"Yes, I need you to take over here, Gabe. We have to ride to Hartford to check on our friends.
*** EST ***
MIKE
The destruction was all around them on their way to Hartford. In the city they found unroofed houses and trash on the streets. The Connecticut River had come over the shore so high that the street still was under kneehigh water. Bastian spurred his mare and headed on.
They found the Summers in their yard already at work cleaning the place of garbage. The river had pushed even more water on the street and most efforts to stop the tide from flooding the city had been useless.
Bastian jumped from his horse. "Mother, Father, are you alright?"
Eva turned to her son, running to him with open arms. "Bastian, praise the Lord you are unharmed. Boys, we are so happy that you are alright."
Bastian told his parents how bad the storm had hit Wilmington Farm and about Mr. Wilmington. Mike saw Wade flinch. He knew Wade had loved his father though they had some tough differences. Wade couldn't take anymore commiseration. Wade needed something to focus on. Mike surveyed the chaos around them. There wasn't time for mourning now; it would have to wait. "Can we help somewhere, Robert?"
Robert exchanged looks with him and nodded in silent understanding why Mike had asked this. "Get a bucket and help with bailing the water out of the cellar.
They worked until the afternoon at the Summers when Robert decided it was enough for the day. They all needed rest and he told Wade to return to his family. There was enough work to do at Wilmington Farm. Wade hadn't talked much and just worked stoically. Mike grabbed him by the shoulder, facing him, "Wade, you need to go home."
His friend stared tired and distant at him. It took a bit until he really looked at him. "Uhm, … yeah … right … home."
Mike got concerned. "Are you alright, Brother? Can I do anything to help?"
Wade still stared at him and finally nodded before he broke down in Mike's arms. "Don't leave me alone in this, Mike," Wade sobbed. "I don't know what to do now."
A bit shocked at how lost Wade was, Mike stroked calmingly over his back. "Easy, I won't leave you . Let's ride home. Clara will be waiting for you."
Half an hour later they were back at the Farm. George and Bastian had stayed in Hartford. Four of the workers were still at work clearing the access road to Glastonbury so that a carriage could pass. If they kept up the pace they would have the street open by tomorrow evening. Gabe had prepared the back of the stables as best as possible to give the horses shelter for the night.
Clara had taken over in the house. Mike was impressed. The hall was already clean again. Only a pile of shards and dross was still in the corner of the hall.
They found the others in the salon. Clara looked up and hurried over to them. "Wade," she said, taking her husband in a tight embrace. "I'm glad you are back."
She took Wade's hand and pulled him with her. "Come, my love. Sit down. We have the meal ready. Mike, c'mon and help me with Priscilla."
Mike reluctantly followed Clara to the chaise lounge in the far corner, where Priscilla rested. He hadn't planned to stay any longer here today but he couldn't deny Clara the request of something so simple. She had enough to worry about too.
Clara shook her slightly to get her attention. "Priscilla, come to the table. We'll have supper together, Wade is back." They steadied Priscilla on her way to the table and Mike found no opportunity to leave. They all ate in silence.
Later he helped Wade to move his mother to the upper level in one of the guestrooms on the untouched side of the house. She hadn't talked since Henry died. But now she addressed Mike before he and Wade had the chance to leave the room. "Mike?"
He stopped unsure. "Aye, Mrs. Wilmington?"
"Can you ride to Newport tomorrow and check on my daughter and my grandson? I'm very concerned about them. I would feel better if you'd bring them home."
"Uhm, home, Ma'am?"
"Yes, Mike. They belong to you. Bring them home, my boy."
Mike thought he had heard wrong. Of course, he would check on Diana. Especially if Mrs. Wilmington told him so. But what had she meant by they belonged to him?
Wade stood at the door and let out a sigh. He exchanged looks with him. Wade knew something about why she'd said this. He had to talk to him. Mike turned to Mrs. Wilmington again. "Don't worry, Mrs. Wilmington. I'm gonna bring them home to you," Mike promised.
Priscilla nodded and started humming something, staring absently at a spot on the floor.
Mike went out to meet Wade in the hallway. "Is your mother alright? She seems odd. Did you hear what she said to me?"
"Yes, I heard it. I think she's in shock. I don't know." Wade ran a hand through his hair. "What a day, what a mess." He leaned on the wall behind him, sliding down.
Mike looked at him worriedly. He didn't know if he could leave Wade here alone to ride to Newport tomorrow. He would be away for at least five days. But Clara would be at his side. She had proved he could trust her with Wade several times. He would leave as soon as the sun rose.
Mike squatted next to his friend. "This did not go as I had planned, taking you home. If you find a room for me for the night, I'll stay here and ride early tomorrow." Mike couldn't believe that he really offered to stay by his own choice in this house, but as things had changed, it would be stupid to ride back to Hartford and then to Newport tomorrow. Every mile less would shorten the journey.
Wade glanced up, giving him a short nod. "This really went a hell of a lot different than I had planned coming home. There is something I have to tell you about Diana first." He got up and put a hand on Mike's shoulder, guiding him into Wade's office.
Mike didn't understand this whole situation and angrily brushed Wade's arm away. "Why are you all talking in secret? What is this all about? What did your mother mean?"
"Mike please, this is not a conversation for the hallway," Wade said.
Mike was so exhausted. He couldn't endure society games today. He raised his voice, "Hallway or not, spill it out."
"Mike, please! I don't wanna upset Mother even more."
Frustrated, he followed Wade into the nearby office and closed the door. Mike stood with crossed arms in front of the huge desk in the middle of the room and waited. Wade went to the sideboard and poured him a glass of Whiskey. The day had been long, exhausting, and horrible. Mike understood that Wade needed a drink. When his friend offered him a glass he declined. He needed all his senses together for the quest tomorrow.
Wade emptied the glass and returned to the desk. "Please, forgive me, Mike. I failed you."
Mike didn't understand. "What are you talking about?"
Wade closed his eyes. "It's about Cole." Wade looked up and met his eyes.
Mike saw the rueful shine in them but couldn't put this all together so that it made any sense.
"He is … the boy is your son."
He needed a moment to really understand the words. But then it hit him full force and all Mike was able to say was, "What?"
"Yes, that's the reason Mother said they belong to you. She is pretty out of it at the moment. Please, Mike, I didn't intend to keep that from you but I didn't know how to tell you either. Everything was so wrong then. When I returned home from Rutherford, Diana was married off, you were believed to be dead and my father had that stroke. I … I couldn't deal with all that. And when you were back …," Wade sighed. "God … you were so broken. I couldn't put this on your shoulders too. I was glad you took the position as The Knight and had a purpose to focus on."
Mike couldn't believe what he heard, now everything made sense. He had been so blinded by jealousy that Tanner had Diana that he had never asked himself why she had married someone else. But with her pregnant and him dead it was the only logical solution from Mr. Wilmington's point of view.
He … he had a son. Why hadn't Diana told him?
He had a son. He was a father!
Mike had to sit. He melted down into the wing chair for visitors at the desk. "I … ," he paused, "I think I could use a drink now."
Wade walked to the sideboard again and poured them both a glass. Mike's mind was racing now. Not only his love was out there but his son too. Blood from his blood. He had to ride, he couldn't lose any more time. The storm had headed north east toward Rhode Island. He knew Tanner had a ship company and probably they lived near the ocean. If the storm didn't lose any force the coast region would be under massive attack right now. And his family was at stake.
Wade handed him the glass which Mike emptied just like Wade before. He could not sit around and wait until tomorrow. "I ride now. I have to make miles as fast as possible."
"What? It's already dark. You can not ride fast enough that it makes any sense to leave now. If the streets look like the ones to Hartford you'll not be able to see all the hindrances on your way. You'll wait until tomorrow. You have to rest too."
Mike got up, slamming the glass to the desktop in a rage. "You dare give me an order in this matter? You will not stop me from making sure Diana and … our son are safe. I'll leave immediately. They are my family. You have seen that monster of a storm. It may be in Rhode Island already and no one knows about the danger they are in. It will hit most people as unprepared as us."
Wade got up, angry now too. "Don't you think I know this? That monster killed my father!" Wade sighed and spoke calmer now, rounding the table. "Mike, please. It is useless to ride at night. We can ride faster tomorrow."
"We?"
"Yes, I'll come with you."
"What? But you'll be needed here."
"You need me more. I have to help fix this. And what have you planned to do about Tanner? He will not simply give you Diana and Cole and wish you good luck! This whole marriage was a deal. I'm sure I can find a solution with him."
"Diana and Cole are not goods. They are all I have. I need to … God help me, I need to find them. And this asshole Tanner will never again touch them, even if I have to kill him to get them back."
Wade looked shocked at him. "Mike, you are not a murderer."
"Am I not? I killed soldiers of the British army in that war for nothing. Killing Tanner would at least have a purpose."
"Mike! He is my brother-in-law, whether I like him or not …"
"That is just on paper. Diana doesn't love him. I saw it in her eyes when we met; there was fear, not love. And besides, I thought I was your Brother. You have to decide on which side you will fight."
"It will always be your side, Mike."
A knock interrupted them and Clara entered the office. "What's wrong in here?"
Wade walked over to Clara. "Everything is alright, my love, don't worry."
Mike was so restless and pissed about the whole thing. He was supposed to be with Diana; to call her 'my love'. It hurt Mike to see Clara and Wade together. He knew it was selfish and not appreciated but he couldn't stop his tongue. "Alright? You can also tell Clara now that we are leaving for Rhode Island."
Clara looked at them both, not understanding what was going on. "What did I miss?"
Wade took her carefully by the arm. "Mother told Mike to bring Diana and Cole home. I told him."
Mike nearly lost it. "Clara knew? Who else knows about me and Diana having a son? Did you all lie to me?!"
Clara wriggled out of Wade's hold and walked over to where Mike stood. "Mike, we didn't want to hurt you even more. We didn't lie to you. We tried protecting you."
Mike looked hurt at her. "And I thought we were friends, Clara. Friends don't keep things like that from each other."
Clara took a step back, not intimidated by his anger. "It's easy to say what he had done wasn't right, but what would you have done in Wade's position?"
Mike didn't know what to answer. He just couldn't think straight. "You two are really made for each other!" He strode past them and slammed the door shut.
"Damn Wilmingtons," he swore under his breath. Clara knew exactly how to play him. It hurt and yet they both were right. Deep in his heart he knew he probably would have done the same thing.
Samantha came upstairs, finding Mike massaging his aching temples. "Mr. Campbell, are you alright?"
Mike glanced up, sighing, "Uhm, aye, Samantha. Wade and I will leave tomorrow morning for Rhode Island. Can you provide us with food for the way?"
*** EST ***
DIANA
"But we have no cellar to hide, Ms. Diana." Annabeth said.
"What about the carriage house? It is at least shielded by the main house."
Anna nodded. Diana turned pulling her sobbing child as close as possible and ran to the door. There was a loud sound behind them. Diana dared turn around just as the huge windows with a view to the ocean burst from an onslaught of waves so high she couldn't even see the top of them.
The water flooded the downstairs level in seconds, driving the two women full force against the wall and ripped Diana off her feet. She lost hold of Cole and desperately tried to find something to hold on. The force of the waves played with her body like a paper boat. She gulped the dirty water before she finally was able to get a grip of the rail of the stairs. Diana pulled herself closer. "COLE!" Her baby had been ripped from her embrace. Ice cold shudders ran through her body. "COLE!" she screamed again.
The water flowed inside the house rising without pause. She was desperate. "ANNA, COLE!" She shouted again trying to scream louder as the storm around her.
"HERE, MS. DIANA," Anna answered.
She spun around and saw Anna trying desperately to hold fast onto the hooks of the clothing rack with one arm. In the other, she saw her holding Cole, who had his arms in a deathgrip around Anna's shoulders. "Thank God," she breathed. "Stay there, Anna!"
Diana waded out of the water up the stairs. Her dress was soaked and heavy so that she could hardly walk. She made it to the upper level, searching for something she could use as a rope. She spotted the one inch thick decor cord on the curtains and ripped them off. This had to be enough. She stumbled over her wet dress and fell to the floor, cursing. In an angry motion she ripped the skirt off and freed her legs from the tangled soaked underskirt too. With nothing more than long underpants around her legs she was able to hurry back quickly.
The water had risen even higher than a few minutes earlier and was well over six feet high. "Anna, I'm coming. Diana bound the one end of the makeshift rope around her hip and the other end around the rail. Her governess was still at the rack but Diana saw how hard she tried to keep her hold with the desperately clinging child around her throat.
She was grateful that she never listened when someone had forbidden her to go swimming; most of her friends in Connecticut couldn't even swim in a pond. Diana pushed off the stairs through the water towards the rack; it was only across the hallway, maybe ten feet which separated her and her baby.
The water was cold and the storm whipped wave after wave against the house. Diana fought to reach the others. She was barely there when the water retreated and pulled her away only to push her against the wall next to the rack with the next wave right after. In the last second she grabbed for the rack too and was there. "Cole, mommy is here, don't worry. Come over to me, baby."
The water pulled again at their bodies while on the retreat. Soon there would be a new wave. Diana grabbed Cole and pulled him tight. The water was now low enough to find some solid ground under their feet and Diana moved toward the rail. She already saw the next wave rushing toward them, carrying a vessel from the shore with it directly at them. "Anna, hurry! Diana grabbed Anna's arm and pulled the woman with her. They reached the stairs just in time before the vessel was driven into the downstairs level together with new dirty water, and crashed through the wall where they had been only seconds earlier.
TBC