181 Returning Home - The Long Drive Begins

"Seth, return to Darkwood village."

Mary looked at her son seriously, with over fifty of her closest friends and co-workers working to find the optimal place for a base and second village. She believed the threat they saw in the South wouldn't wait for him to spend time with her.

"Mother... I want to be with you longer; is that so bad?"

Seth's voice was loud, but there didn't seem to be anyone close. However, Mary walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his chest; no longer tall enough to reach his neck easily, she settled for his chest. "Son... You know we cannot afford to act like a mother and child now. We are the ones that guide these people, their leaders. We must act like so."

Seth understood. He hugged Mary tightly before separating with tears in his eyes. "Mother, I missed you... I did."