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"How are we going tonoticed?" Lizzy heaved a bag full of books to the trail off the road

"We won’t have to move it far We will stay in one of the cabins outside the Keep this night My mother will know I am back and send one of my brothers to fetch us"

"Hoill she know?"

"When your son needs you, do you know it?"

Myra asked, not expecting a reply

"Huh" Lizzy pondered

"Are you ready for this?" Todd asked Simon

Simon looked up at Todd like he was nuts "Is anyone?"

Todd shook his head, ruffled Simon’s hair

"You’re too slanced at the pattern of the trees, searching for a symmetrical spot to place the stones

She found a ss down in a pile Todd, Liz and Simon followed her lead

One by one, she placed the stones in a circle

Slowly, she drew out theas she could I’ain The words echoed in herhavoc in her heart

Unable to put off the inevitable any longer she glanced up "We’re ready" She motioned for Liz and Simon to come inside the stones

Todd’s eyes followed Lizzy as she led SiazeUnable to control it, her heart started to crumble and break

"Come here," he said

She rushed to his arms on a cry Desperate, their lips found each other’s, each devouring in a last attempt to hold onto what they knew could never be

His hands stayed in her hair holding her to hi her to stay, but how could she even if he did

A silent tear streaked her cheek when his lips left hers "I will never forget you, Todd Blakely A part of you will live with me all my days I have no way to thank you for all you have done"

He wiped her tear away and kissed her forehead "I’ll never forget you" He stiffened his spine anda small amount of distance between them He already missed her She could see it in his eyes

Her hand slipped from his before she stepped into the circle, where Lizzy stood waiting with Si brilliance and light The inscribed words, written by the Ancients, huan: