Never Let Go - Bryan Adams

(Strength and Honor)

The Promised Land: (Part 19) Never Let Go

Shiloh looked up when he heard a knock. The wooden door creaked open and a head with dark brown hair and hazel eyes poked inside. “Can I come in?”

Shiloh nodded and a man in his late thirties, wearing a dark blue uniform, entered.

“Hey, Sheriff,” the man said as he crossed the room. “Mom says you quit practicing. What’s up?”

Shiloh sighed, fidgeting with the pencil in his hand. Absentmindedly staring at his most recent superhero drawing, Shiloh didn’t notice the man sit on the end of his bed.

“It’s ok, you can tell me,” the man continued. “Is that kid at school causing you problems again?”

Shiloh couldn’t help but chuckle. “Not since Cay punched him in the face.”

“Yeah, I really need to talk to him about retaliating like that.” The man’s dark eyebrows scrunched together in a look of tired exasperation. “So what’s the story? I thought you loved playing.”

“I do. It’s just… It’s hard to see the point when… the only person listening can’t hear you any more.” Shiloh dared not look into his father’s eyes. He knew what he would see. Disappointment. Sorrow. Pain. A heavy sigh confirmed the expected response.

“Listen, Shy. I know it’s not easy to stay and help your mom while Cay and I are gone all the time.” As the man spoke, the lamplight glinted off the metal badge on his uniform. “It’ll get easier. Things are going to change, starting tonight. Just hang in there, all right?”

Shiloh nodded.

“As for practice… If you’re doing it for the wrong reason, why do it at all, right? Maybe it’s time you start playing for yourself.” Shiloh glanced up with a curious look as the older man shrugged. “Think about it this way, at least Mom can’t get upset when you play the wrong notes. … Don’t tell her I said that.” Shiloh smiled at his father. With a grin, the man ruffled Shiloh’s brown hair.

“Hah, come on, Sheriff. Let’s go watch Cay bring home that soccer trophy.” As he got up to leave, the man’s phone rang. “Jack Conrad …What? Now? … I’m on my way.” As soon as he hung up, sirens started up in the distance and grew louder.

“Not again,” he muttered. Turning to Shiloh, he said, “Take your mom to the shelter. I’m going to get Caden.”

“Dad, I-”

“Go with her and don’t leave.”

“Dad, please don’t-”

“I’ll be back, I promise.”

“Dad! NO!” 

Shiloh sat straight up, the vivid memory of the last conversation with his father still fresh. Breathing heavily, matted silver bangs dripping with sweat. He saw Hope and Ezra standing near the open door, hands clamped over their ears. Eden was there too, standing next to him. He could vaguely make out her voice telling him to calm down.

~*~

Eden was helping Grace make dinner while Ezra and Hope called all the children in from the playground behind the building. They were just about finished when a painfully loud scream erupted in their eardrums. Eden took off running toward the source. As she ran, the yell got louder and Eden noticed that the windows were shaking. She finally reached Shiloh’s room, where the noise was nearly deafening. Bursting into the room with Hope right behind her, Eden went straight to Shiloh’s side. Realizing he was still asleep, Eden grabbed his shoulders and tried to shake him awake.

“Wake up! Shiloh! Wake up!” It must have worked because the kid stopped screaming and sprang straight up with eyes as wide as saucers. Pure terror shone through his eyes as he gasped for breath.

“Shiloh, it’s all right. Calm down. It’s just a nightmare. You’re ok.”

With tears streaming down his cheeks, Shiloh wrapped his arms around Eden and buried his head in her shoulder. Eden realized the boy was shuddering in her arms as she tried to soothe him.

“Shhhh, it’s ok. You’re just fine. It’s going to be all right.” She felt him shake his head, as though nothing she could say would ever heal whatever wound was just ripped open. Softly humming, Eden stroked his head and slowly rocked back and forth as she started to sing. “Lost in darkest blue, endless labyrinths weaving through. Will you stagger on, with no star to light your way? Share with me your tears, all your troubles and deepest fears. I remember when you chased all my shadows away.”

Shiloh’s breathing calmed significantly and the shaking subsided. To be honest, Eden’s ears were ringing so badly she couldn’t tell if she was even on key, but she kept singing just the same. “Won't you take my hand? Come away with me from this land. Let me give to you all that you have given to me. Fly horizon bound. Find the moon behind darkening clouds. Even far apart, know our souls together will be.”

For once, Eden felt like she was actually doing something right. Ezra watched them with what Eden thought was a smile before she and Hope retreated down the hall to resume care of dinner.

“When the storm draws nigh, dreams will shatter before your eyes. Know that you're not alone. When the battle starts, I will comfort your restless heart. You'll know that you are home. When your stars stop shining, endless vines around you winding, know that you're not alone. I will give my all so your tears will no longer fall down, down on sorrow's stone. Know that you're not alone.” Eden ended the song there.

With a sniff, Shiloh pulled away. His cheeks were red and his hair was disheveled, but he looked like he was going to be ok now.

“Better?” Eden asked as she handed him a tissue from the nearby table. Nodding, Shy took the tissue and blew his nose.

“Good. Me too.” Eden smiled.

“That’s two kids I’ve helped so far,” she thought to herself. “I think I’m making progress.”  

Eden sank into the chair beside Shiloh’s bed. “You scared me, kid. You were out for so long, I thought you’d never wake up.”

Shiloh offered a sheepish smile as he wiped his eyes. Eden thought about going to help the others with dinner, but decided against it. She didn’t want to admit it, but she liked feeling needed in this future. It gave her something to hold on to.