Marah gave Elishom a stunned look.

“You could have said that.”

“I have forgotten.”

“Did you forget a tunnel?”

“I have been busy.”

Despite the terror, Mara almost laughed.

Then the roof caught fire.

Flames broke out over shingle.

“Move yourself!”

Elias took Rose.

Mara took Ruth.

David came in last.

Behind them, **cabana began to burn. **

— —

PART 5 — **SUB BELL

The tunnel opened inside the western abomination.

Smoke stained the sky behind them.

Mara came back once.

The cottage that had housed her daughters disappeared into an orange flame.

Elias didn't look back.

But he saw his face.

That cabin had been his whole life.

Now he was gone because of them.

“Elias—”

“Keep going.”

“I am sorry.”

"No."

“They burned your house.”

"No."

He turned to her.

“They burned wood.”

He looked at the twins.

“This is home.”

The eyes of the sea are filled.

There was no time to answer.