Liam followed the dirt path winding up through the hills, his legs aching with every step. The sun was beginning to set again, casting gold across the grass. Somewhere over these hills was Greystone—he was sure of it.
But his body was tired, and his spirit was stretched thin.
He hadn't eaten since morning, and his thoughts kept drifting: What if she's not there? What if I've come all this way for nothing?
He shook his head. No. She's out there. I know it.
The wind picked up as he reached the top of a ridge. Below, in a shallow valley, was a small village nestled among fields of lavender and stone cottages. Smoke rose gently from chimneys. Church bells rang in the distance.
Greystone.
Liam almost collapsed with relief. He laughed out loud—half joy, half exhaustion—and ran down the hill, stumbling but not stopping.
The village was quiet but alive. People walked slowly, waved to one another, tended to gardens. Liam approached an older woman who was carrying a basket of apples.
"Excuse me," he said, out of breath. "Have you seen a woman named Clara? Clara Bennett? She's my mother."
The woman blinked. "Clara Bennett… Well, I can't say for sure, but there was a woman who came here after the storm. She was hurt—barely conscious. The doctor took her in."
Liam's heart jumped. "Where's the doctor?"
The woman pointed toward a white building at the far end of the village, near a field of trees.
"Thank you!" he cried, running before she could say another word.
He raced past shops and fences, ignoring the pain in his legs. When he reached the doctor's house, he banged on the door.
A tall man in a vest opened it. "Yes?"
"My name is Liam Bennett," he said quickly. "I'm looking for my mom. Clara. Someone said she might be here."
The doctor studied him. "You're her son?"
"Yes," Liam said. "I've come all the way from the city. I got lost at the train station. Please—is she here?"
The man nodded slowly and opened the door wider. "Come in, son. She's resting now, but she's been asking about you every day."
Liam stepped inside, every part of him trembling.
"She made it," he whispered. "She's alive…"
The doctor led him down a hall to a quiet room. And there, lying on a small bed by the window, was his mother—pale, but breathing, her face turned toward the fading sunlight.
"Mom?" Liam said, barely audible.
Her eyes fluttered open. When she saw him, her breath caught.
"Liam…"
She reached out a weak hand. He ran to her, wrapping his arms around her as tears poured down both their faces.
"I found you," he whispered. "I didn't give up."
She held him close. "I knew you wouldn't. I knew you'd find your way."