“At least it is too early to snow…” she starts to say only to begin laughing when the first flake drifts from the sky. “Better hurry,” she says and pulling her white cloak tighter around her dress. She mutters a prayer of thanks that she is wearing white cowboy boots and not heels. Serenity hurries along but with every step she takes, the snow falls thicker. Soon she is unable to see her hand in front of her face. Thinking her hair is ruined and her makeup, Serenity decides to turn around and finds that she can no longer see the road, buildings, or cars. When she glances at her feet hoping to follow her footsteps back to her car, more than six inches of snow has already covered her tracks. Fear snakes its way around her and Serenity screams for help.
Sincere sits up in bed screaming, “Daddy! Daddy!”
Michael rushes into his youngest son’s bedroom and flips the switch, flooding the room with light. “It’s okay, buddy. I’m right here.” He tells him patting his little back.
“NO! The bad one is after her, Daddy!” he says franticly pushing away from him. “I have to save her!” With that Sincere disappears!
“Sincere!” Michael screams. “Dad!” he roars knowing they will hear him.
Michael rushes into the living room and Nathan joins him looking scared. “Nate, how long has Sincere been able to disappear?”
“I, I … A couple of weeks. Where did he go?” Nate asks afraid.
“I don’t know! You will stay with Nana and Pop, I will find him.” He jerks his cowboy boots on and grabs his denim overcoat pushing his arms into it, he grabs his gloves. He feels his parents arrive and sighs with relief.
“What’s happened?” Noel asks rushing forward. Nick listens quietly as Michael tells them about Sincere, then he smiles.
“This is not funny, Dad!” Michael snarls.
“Now son, just calm down and think.” Nick turns to Nathan and finds him near tears. “Nathan, can you port too?” At the boy’s nod of yes, he hugs him close and laughs his booming laugh.
“Why didn’t you tell me, son?” Michael asks shocked.
“Because, I, I was afraid you would be mad. I don’t want to die like Mom did!”
Michael is shocked.
“Dad, you need to trace Sincere. Nathan, come here.” Michael demands.
The child stumbles forward, and refuses to meet his eyes. “Your Mom got sick, buddy. Not because of the magic. She just got sick and it’s not contagious! You will not die. Never be afraid to come to me son, I love you. We will figure this out as soon as I find your brother.”
Noel wipes tears, so proud of the man he has become. “Michael, tell me what he said before he disappeared.
“He said, the bad one is after her, I have to save her and disappeared.”
Noel smiles, “He’s with Serenity! If he’s right they are both in danger. Baron!” she yells calling her protector.
“Why would he be with Serenity? You aren’t making any sense, Mom!” The large husky pads into the room and woofs softly.
“Trust me, Michael. Take Baron with you, he will find Sincere quickly.” Nate runs out of the room then back holding Sincere’s blue silk blanket.
“It’s his favorite, Dad. Baron can track him through the scent.” Baron walks over and sniffs quickly.
“Excellent!” he says brushing his hair back.
“I’ve got a trace. Let’s go.” Nick says from behind. Glad to have his help, the men disappear as quickly as Sincere.
Sincere concentrates hard, remembering Serenity’s eyes. The snowflakes, dance, calling to him. “Come play! Nicholas. Let’s build a snow fort!” a voice calls from the snow. Dizzy and cold he smiles, dropping to the snow, he starts to collect snow with his bare hands. Dressed in only his superman pajamas he should be freezing, but he is oblivious to the icy temperatures.
“That’s right, dig, dig, dig your own icy tomb!” the voice laughs.
A scream breaks him free of his reverie, and he remembers why he is here. Sincere follows the screaming. He can’t see her because the snow is too thick, but he can feel her. “Serenity!” his tiny voice yells.
“After him!” The voice orders.
The howl of a wolf explodes across the night. All around him wolves call out, answering the call of their master. Sincere runs, screaming for help. Serenity, hears it and stands stupefied for a moment. Wolves howling! That’s ridiculous, wolves can’t be in the city! The scream of a child causes her heart to stop. “Oh my Gosh!” She begins to run in the direction she heard the child.
“Serenity!” he screams over and over, running as fast as little legs can. She sees him and the shadows tracking him and she screams his name.
“Sincere!” He leaps into her open arms and wraps his frozen arms around her neck. “What are you doing out here, are you okay?” He is freezing from the cold, so she pulls her wrap off and surrounds the child with it. He nods and holds on tightly to her.
“I, c..c...came to save you!” he says. “We have to go, the bad one is coming, Renity”
Serenity is trying to figure out what to do, when the first wolf appears. Larger than any dog, the black wolf stares at her with yellow eyes and she could swear it is smiling at her.
“Close your eyes, Sincere.” She commands and slowly lowers him to the ground behind her. Serenity thanks God for her Daddy’s training and reaches under her skirt, slowly unclipping her pistol from her thigh holster.
She pushes the child behind her and prays the gun is powerful enough
