Twenty-four hours after the battle, Manny had healed sufficiently to be able to finish what needed to be done. He packed his belongings and Godric’s, taking them out to the car. Then he returned to the cabin. In a storage room off the kitchen he found what he was looking for. Hefting the sealed can, he took it back to the main room. There, he opened it, pouring the liquid back and forth across the floor, ending at the fireplace, pouring the last dregs of fuel into it. Then he paused, looking around the room. His eyes lit on the tapestries and for one moment he considered taking them with him. Then, with a shake of his head, he turned back to the fireplace. Dropping to one knee, he lit the tinder beneath the logs.
Standing again, he bowed his head for a brief second and then strode quickly to the door. Closing it gently behind him, he walked to the car. As he started to drive away the first of the flames lit the cabin windows.
He waited until he reached the highway and then called the authorities, letting them know that he’d seen what appeared to be a fire and telling them where.
Two hours later he was parking the car at the house in the city. He walked into the living room by way of the terrace to find the boys huddled around the television watching some shoot ‘em up.
Jakie was the first to notice him standing there. “Where’s Rick and Mr. Wyndham,” he asked, trying to peer past Manny to see if they were coming in behind him.
“There’s something I have to tell you, but first I need everyone in here, so would you please go get Gebhard and Mr. Shadrick.”
Jakie nodded, and then raced off, returning minutes later with the two adults.
“What’s going on, Manny?” Gebhard wanted to know.
“There’s—there was a fire at the cabin. I—I was—I took a walk 'cause I couldn’t sleep and—hell.”
The boys listened in disbelief. “They’re dead?” one of them asked hesitantly.
Manny nodded. “I’m afraid so. I don’t—I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Jakie said, throwing his arms around Manny’s waist.
Gebhard looked as if he was about to say something and then changed his mind. “Boys, I think we should let Manny get to bed, in fact all of you should be heading that way.”
“I’m all right, sir,” Manny told him.
“Be that as it may, Mr. Shadrick and I will get them to bed and let them talk if they need to.” Gebhard looked somewhat uncomfortable; as if that wasn’t something he was sure how to handle. Mr. Shadrick took over, herding the boys out of the room.
Gebhard remained behind, asking, “Do you know how it started? And are you quite certain they’re dead?”
“I know they’re dead. The cabin was fully engulfed in flames when I got back and there was no sign of them outside. I—I don’t know why it happened.”
“Alright. We’ll talk more about it in the morning, and about what happens now that Mr. Wyndham is dead. Go get some sleep, if you can.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you for—“ Manny shrugged disconsolately.
“Nothing to thank me for,” Gebhard replied with a small smile. “I’ll see you when you get up.”
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