Chapter 238 Never Harbor Any Hope

When Emma handed her the bundle, her hands were shaking like crazy.

Nobody could believe the news was real 'cause after counting heads, everyone was there; no one was missing, especially the kids.

Even though Ava said she didn't buy it, she still clung to a tiny bit of hope.

But thinking about that scene, besides that head and the clothes on that body part, even though they were bloody, she knew it was Benjamin's 'cause she had those clothes made for him.

Every time she went back to her folks' place, she made clothes for all the kids in the family.

Ava took the bundle, her eyes blank, and muttered, "Emma, I'm just gonna take a look. I know it's not him, and I have no hope, but can you grab Benjamin's favorite toy, the slingshot I made for him? It's got his name carved on it, and I even painted the wooden fork."

"I got it. Be right back." Emma hurried off, her legs wobbly as she went down the steps, falling but getting up and limping away.

In no time, she brought the slingshot and handed it to Ava.

Ava took the slingshot, stroking the name carved on it for a long time before looking up and seeing blood seeping from Emma's knee.

"Emma, go take care of your wound quickly," Ava said, getting her composure back.

"Ava, I'll go with you. No need to treat the wound," Emma replied.

"No, I'll go alone. The horses here aren't as fast as Crimson Blaze." She looked at William, Briana, and Kyle, their eyes filled with tears and that barely hidden hope.

They didn't dare to hope, scared that bigger disappointment would follow.

As Ava was about to leave, Briana called out, "Ava, wait a sec."

She quickly went down, wrapped some holiday sweets in oiled paper, and hurried back to hand them to Ava. "Here, munch on these on the way."

Ava took them and put them in the bundle, then led Crimson Blaze out the door. As she got on the horse, she looked back to see everyone standing at the door, their long-held tears finally falling.

Ava's heart ached, and tears silently fell. She raised the whip, squeezed the horse's sides with her legs, and leaned forward slightly. Crimson Blaze neighed loudly and took off.

Crimson Blaze raced out of the city, and Ava silently prayed, 'God, please let it be Benjamin!'

The trip to Meadowland was long. But Crimson Blaze was a beast.

It would take about five days to get to Meadowland, but Crimson Blaze would be super tired. Once there, the horse would need several days to chill and recover.

August, with its clear and crisp autumn air, was also the best season for horses to perform at their best.

Ava was anxious, wishing she could get to Meadowland and be by Xavier's side to see the kid.

Ava thought, 'If Benjamin's still alive, he'd be almost seven now. In the blink of an eye, nearly two years have passed since the family's massacre. Don't think about anything. This trip is just to get out and walk, with no purpose and no hope. Don't harbor any thoughts; the disappointment will be unbearable.'