The storm had left Elmsworth scarred, but its true weight lay heavy in the hearts of its people. Ethan and Theo were still missing, and now the news had reached Ethan's newly arrived brother.
Cole stood in Hana's shop, the lamplight cutting sharp lines across his face. His jaw was clenched tight as Mira and Hana gave him a run-down of the situation.
"They've been gone since the storm," Mira explained, her voice grave. "Theo wandered off, and Ethan… he went after him. Neither came back. The search parties tried, but the forest is merciless after rain like that."
Cole's brow furrowed deeply. "So, the whole village knows, and yet they're still lost."
Hana's hands twisted around her apron. "It isn't for lack of trying. Men from the depot, the woodworkers, the iron hands they've all gone out, combed the woods. But… nothing."
Cole's eyes narrowed. "Nothing doesn't cut it for me. My brother's out there." His tone was steel.
Mira placed a careful hand on his arm. "We all want them back safe. But you must be cautious"
Cole shook her hand off gently, his eyes burning. "Caution wastes time. I didn't come all this way to watch from the sidelines."
The village square simmered with unease as Cole left Hana's shop. Lanterns glowed faint against the night, men arguing in sharp whispers. Jonas stood among them, loud as ever, boasting about how he'd offered to help with the search, how Hana herself should be grateful.
Cole strode up without hesitation. "You Jonas?"
Jonas sneered, his usual swagger in place. "Depends who's asking."
Cole stopped a mere step away, towering over him. "Name's Cole. Ethan Lowe's brother." His voice was low, dangerous. "And I hear you've had a lot to say about him."
The crowd hushed. Jonas bristled, masking nerves with arrogance. "Your brother's a troublemaker. The village knows it."
Cole's lip curled into something between a grin and a snarl. "Funny. Because where I come from, men don't waste breath slandering those who risk their lives for children."
Jonas puffed his chest. "Careful how you speak."
Cole leaned in, his voice like iron. "No you be careful. If Ethan doesn't come back, and I find out your mouth had anything to do with it, you'll wish the storm had taken you instead."
The words cut sharp. Jonas faltered, muttering something under his breath before slinking back into the group. A few of his friends Cal and Marko looked uneasy, caught between loyalty and fear of Cole's sheer presence.
Cole straightened, scanning the dark horizon. "I'm going after him. Tonight."
No one stopped him.
The forest was black as pitch, damp earth sucking at his boots. Cole moved with purpose, lantern in one hand, knife in the other. He searched for signs, anything Ethan might've left.
And there—faint scratches on a tree. A strip of cloth snagged on a branch. Rocks oddly stacked. Cole's chest tightened. Smart, Ethan. You left a trail.
The night pressed harder, sounds of distant owls and creaking limbs echoing. Then, a growl. Low, guttural.
Cole spun just as two coyotes burst from the undergrowth, ribs sharp against their matted fur, eyes wild with hunger.
The first lunged. Cole swung the lantern, shattering it against its head, fire and glass scattering as the beast yelped. The second snapped at his leg, teeth grazing boot leather. Cole roared, slamming his knife down hard. Blood sprayed, hot and iron-thick.
One coyote fell dead. The other limped, snarling before disappearing into the brush.
Cole panted, chest heaving, his arm smeared with blood, most not his own. He wiped the blade on the grass and pushed forward.
Time blurred as he pressed deeper into the forest. His mind slipped back, unbidden, to years ago, him and Ethan as boys, sneaking out past curfew with stolen bread in their pockets. The forest had been their playground then, a place of secrets and dares.
"I bet you can't climb that tree," Ethan had challenged.
"I bet I can," Cole had retorted, scrambling up with scraped knees and laughter echoing into the night.
They had fought like brothers, loved like brothers. And now… Cole clenched his jaw. He wasn't about to lose him. Not here. Not like this.
Hours later, Cole froze. Ahead, through the dense trees, a faint flicker of firelight. His heart lurched.
He snuffed what remained of his lantern and crouched low, creeping closer, knife in hand. Every step was measured, his eyes locked on the glow.
A crude campfire burned in a clearing. Two figures moved nearby one tall, weary, tending the fire; the other smaller, curled under a blanket.
Cole's breath caught. Ethan. And the boy.
Ethan's POV
Ethan stirred at the sound a crack of branches, footsteps too heavy for prey. His chest tightened. Coyotes? Wolves?
He grabbed the old pocketknife from his coat and rose silently, every muscle coiled. The fire crackled behind him, shadows spilling long across the ground.
A dark figure emerged from the trees. Tall. Broad-shouldered.
Ethan's hand trembled, blade raised. "Stay back!"
The figure stepped closer, into the firelight. A face Ethan hadn't seen in years lined, hardened, older. But familiar.
"Easy," Cole said softly. "It's me."
The knife slipped from Ethan's hand, clattering into the dirt. His chest rose and fell sharply, disbelief flooding him. "…Cole?"
Cole's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Who else?"
Reunion with Theo
Theo stirred at the voices, sitting up groggily and rubbing his eyes. His gaze darted between Ethan and the towering stranger. "Who's… who's that?"
Ethan glanced at him, emotion thick in his throat. "That's… my brother."
Theo blinked, then looked back at Cole, wide-eyed. "You mean, you're Ethan's real brother?!"
Cole crouched down, his rough features softening as he gave the boy a small nod. "That's right, kid. Name's Cole. And you must be Theo, the one giving my brother gray hairs already."
Theo flushed, stammering. "I...I wasn't! I helped!"
Ethan chuckled weakly, ruffling Theo's hair. "He did. Kept me alive, actually."
Cole's eyes lingered on Theo, respect flickering there. "Then I owe you one, Theo. Big time."
Theo grinned shyly, pulling his blanket tighter.
For a moment, silence fell, broken only by the crackle of the fire. Ethan met Cole's gaze, tears threatening.
Cole finally broke it, his voice low. "Looks like you've been through hell."
Ethan nodded, voice hoarse. "And back. But you found me."
Cole gripped his shoulder firmly. "Always."
Dawn broke pale and gray, light spilling over the forest. The fire had burned low, but Ethan and Cole remained awake, trading fragments of stories, Theo asleep between them.
Cole rose first, scanning the woods. "We'll head back now. Follow the trail I left. The village will be waiting."
Ethan nodded, leaning on his brother as they started the long walk home. Every step was heavy, but lighter than before.
By noon, the trees thinned, the village roofs breaking through. A bell tolled from the square, voices rising, cries echoing.
When the three emerged from the treeline Ethan limping, Theo clutching his side, Cole steadying them both, the square erupted. Cheers, sobs, relief flooding through the people of Elmsworth.
Victory, hard-earned and fragile, but real.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Ethan allowed himself to breathe.