Chapter 132 A Name Worth Protecting

Chapter 132 A Name Worth Protecting
Dylan's POV
Grace's words lingered long after she finished speaking.
"The child's name was Anthony."
The yard, lively only moments before, became a place of watchful eyes and hurried decisions.
Renwick looked toward the road.
"Did he say anything else?"
Grace searched her memory.
"He asked if we'd seen a family travelling with a little boy."
"And then?"
"He thanked us."
She shrugged.
"After that, he drove away."
Ruth rested a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder.
"I didn't think much of it at the time."
"You couldn't have known," Tessa replied gently.
Grace lowered her eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Anthony walked over and smiled at her.
"You didn't do anything wrong."
She looked relieved.
"I didn't?"
He shook his head.
"You helped us."

Renwick studied the wagon tracks once more before standing.
"They're headed east."
Caleb joined him.
"The driver wasn't in a hurry."
"What makes you say that?" Dylan asked.
"The wheel marks are even."
He pointed to the ground.
"A frightened man pushes his horses."
"This one didn't."
"So he expected to reach his destination."
Renwick folded his arms.
"Or he expected us to follow."
Dylan considered both possibilities.
"We're not chasing a wagon without understanding why it wants Anthony."
Samuel stepped closer.
"The Voice has changed."
Everyone turned toward him.
"It used to wait for people to come looking."
He looked toward the distant hills.
"Now it's gathering information."
Miriam nodded thoughtfully.
"Learning names."
"Learning families."
"And learning which bonds are hardest to break."

Anthony sat beneath the old fig tree, quietly carving another wooden animal.
Grace watched with fascination.
"How do you make it look like that?"
"I mess up a few times first."
She laughed.
"Really?"
"Oh, definitely."
He held up a crooked piece of wood.
"This was supposed to be a rabbit."
Grace studied it.
"It looks like a potato."
Daniel burst into laughter.
Anthony looked at the carving again before smiling.
"You know..."
"I think you're right."
The children quickly forgot the conversation about the stranger.
Within minutes they were discussing whether potatoes could have ears.
Watching them, Tessa exhaled slowly.
"I'm grateful they can still laugh."
"So am I," Dylan replied.
"They remind us what we're fighting for."

As the afternoon stretched toward evening, Gideon invited everyone into the barn.
"It's cooler in here."
Bundles of hay lined one wall while lanterns hung from thick wooden beams overhead.
The adults gathered around an old worktable.
"This farm has become too exposed," Renwick began.
"If someone is searching for Anthony, staying here much longer isn't wise."
Gideon gave a reluctant nod.
"I was thinking the same thing."
Anthony frowned.
"Does that mean we're leaving?"
"Probably tomorrow," Dylan answered.
The little boy looked around the barn.
"I was just starting to like it here."
"So was Daisy," Daniel added.
"She likes everyone."
That earned another round of smiles.
Even difficult conversations became easier when children were part of them.

Miriam unfolded an old map across the table.
"There are three roads leading away from the farm."
She pointed to each one in turn.
"The northern road reaches Red Pack in four days."
"The western trail cuts through abandoned farmland."
"And the eastern route follows the river."
Caleb leaned over the map.
"The river gives us water."
"It also limits where people can hide."
Renwick nodded.
"I'd rather protect one side than all four."
Samuel traced a finger along the northern road.
"I know this stretch."
"You've travelled it?"
"Years ago."
He looked at Dylan.
"There's an old watchtower overlooking the valley."
"Still standing?"
"Barely."
"But it gives a clear view for miles."
Dylan studied the map.
"We'll spend one night there before continuing."
The plan made sense.
High ground.
Fresh water nearby.
Time to see whether anyone was following them.

After supper, the children gathered outside to watch the stars appear.
Grace pointed upward.
"My father taught me that travellers always need one bright star."
Anthony searched the sky.
"Which one is yours?"
She smiled.
"I haven't chosen yet."
Daniel raised a finger.
"What about that one?"
The three children began debating which star looked friendliest.
Nearby, Samuel stood with his father.
"I've missed simple evenings."
His father smiled.
"They've missed you too."
"I wish I'd come home sooner."
"You came home when you could."
The older man placed an arm around his son's shoulders.
"I won't waste today wishing yesterday had been different."
Samuel's eyes glistened.
"I've learned that lesson the hard way."

Darkness settled across the valley.
Lanterns glowed warmly around the farmhouse while Gideon secured the gates for the night.
Renwick took the first watch.
Caleb joined him near the fence.
"You've been staring at those trees for ten minutes," Caleb said.
"I'm listening."
"For what?"
"I don't know yet."
Caleb smiled faintly.
"That isn't like you."
"It isn't."
Renwick's expression turned thoughtful.
"Everything until now has felt carefully planned."
"And?"
"This..."
He looked toward the road where the wagon tracks had disappeared.
"...feels rushed."
Caleb followed his gaze.
"You think someone made a mistake."
"I think someone showed their hand earlier than they intended."
Before Caleb could reply, a faint glow appeared on the hillside beyond the fields.
Not a lantern.
Not a campfire.
It flickered once...
Then again.
A third time.
Samuel stepped out onto the porch just as the light vanished.
His face lost its colour.
"I know that signal."
Dylan turned immediately.
"What does it mean?"
Samuel kept his eyes fixed on the dark hillside.
"It means..."
His voice was steady, though concern showed plainly across his face.
"...they've found the person they've been searching for."
Every instinct in Dylan told him Samuel wasn't talking about Anthony.
Someone else had just walked into the Voice's path.