Chapter 31: chapter 31

The evening was unusually quiet when Mr. Eric Risberg returned home, the weight of the day pressing heavily on his shoulders. As he stepped inside, he immediately noticed Alexis seated at the dining table, her hands clutching a cloth napkin as though it were the only thing tethering her to reality. Her face, pale and strained, told a story of deep worry."Alexis," Eric called gently, his voice laced with concern. "What’s wrong? What happened?"Alexis looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her voice quivered as she replied, "The soldiers came to our house."Eric's brows furrowed, his stomach twisting with unease. "What did they do?""They took all the food," Alexis continued, her voice breaking. "And worst of all... they laid eyes on your daughter."Eric’s face darkened, shadows of worry etching across his features. He pulled out a chair and sat beside her, his mind racing with possibilities.Tears began to stream down Alexis’s cheeks as she choked out her fears. "We can't keep her here, Eric. The soldiers might come back for her. What if they take her? Please, do something—anything—to keep her safe."Eric reached out, placing a hand over hers. "Calm down, Alexis," he said, trying to steady his own voice. "I will do something. I promise you."For a few moments, the room was filled with heavy silence as Eric thought. Then, with a deep sigh, he said, "We cannot fight against them. They have all the power. But what if we send Amelia to Westwood Village? She can stay with her aunt until this turmoil is over."Alexis looked at him, her expression torn. She hesitated before nodding slowly. "Yes, we will do that. It’s the only way to keep her safe."Eric placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We will leave at dawn," he said firmly. "Get everything ready. Only the essentials."Alexis wiped her tears and nodded again. "I’ll start packing," she whispered, her voice trembling.Unknown to them, Amelia stood just outside the door, hidden in the shadows. She had heard everything. Her hands clutched the edge of the doorframe as her heart raced in her chest. The thought of leaving home, of being separated from her parents, terrified her. But as she listened to their worried voices, she understood the fear behind their decision. She didn’t want to be the cause of any trouble for them.Before the first light of dawn, Amelia and her father, Mr. Eric Risberg, began their journey to Westwood Village. The air was cool and silent as they left their home behind. Amelia clung tightly to her small bundle of belongings, her heart heavy with a mix of fear and sadness.The journey was long and tiring, the road winding through dense forests and open fields. By the time they reached Westwood Village, the sun was high in the sky, casting golden light over the little houses. Eric guided Amelia to a modest but welcoming home, where his sister Frida lived with her husband and two children.Frida opened the door and immediately smiled upon seeing them. "Eric! Amelia! Come in, come in," she said warmly, ushering them inside. Her kindness was like a soothing touch to Amelia’s troubled heart.As they sat down, Eric’s face grew serious. He glanced at Amelia before speaking to his sister. "Frida, I need your help," he began, his voice heavy with concern. "Soldiers came to our village. They took everything—our food, supplies. And they laid their eyes on Amelia."Frida gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Eric, no," she whispered, her eyes darting to her niece."That’s why I’ve brought her here," Eric continued. "I need a safe place for her, at least until this chaos ends. I didn’t know where else to turn."Frida reached out and took her brother’s hand. "You don’t have to explain, Eric. You know I’ll do anything to help. Amelia will be safe here with us, I promise you."Amelia watched the exchange silently, her chest tightening with emotion. She had always loved her Aunt Frida, who had been a constant source of warmth and kindness in her life."Thank you, Frida," Eric said, his voice soft with gratitude. "You have no idea what this means to me. I can’t stay—I need to get back to Alexis and my son. They’re still in the village."Frida frowned, concern etched across her face. "Eric, at least stay for a meal. You must be exhausted."He shook his head, rising from his chair. "I can’t. Every minute counts. But knowing Amelia is with you makes it a little easier."Frida stood and hugged her brother tightly. "Take care of yourself, Eric. And give my love to Alexis.""I will," he promised. Turning to Amelia, he knelt down and looked her in the eye. "Amelia, stay strong. This isn’t forever, I promise. Be good and listen to your aunt."Amelia nodded, her throat too tight to speak. She hugged her father tightly, not wanting to let go but knowing she had to.With one last look at his daughter and sister, Eric left the house, his figure disappearing down the road. Amelia stood at the window, watching him leave, her heart heavy but comforted by the warmth of her aunt’s home.