The Crack of Doom: She Would Not Ride Ahead

Edith’s horse could have carried her to safety. Instead, she slowed it. Behind her, Arthur was falling farther back, and the island was running out of time.

Herbert Brande had planned to destroy the world. Arthur had secretly changed his formula. The world would survive. The island would not.

There were horses and a ship offshore. There was not enough time to make either feel safe. Arthur rode with a woman named Veret behind him.

The ground broke across their path. Veret fell and was lost. Arthur had to keep moving with the knowledge that one of them would never reach the ship.

Edith stayed near him. He urged her to use the speed of her own horse. She could still go ahead.

She was afraid. She said so. Then she stayed.

When Arthur’s horse faltered again, Edith reached for it. Pain shot through her arm. She kept the riders moving.

At the shore, people begged to go with them. Arthur and his companions took the boat to the waiting ship. The people on the beach were left behind.

Only aboard did Arthur learn that his horse had broken Edith’s right arm. She had held it with her left and got him to the shore.

Then the island exploded. A great wave overtook the ship. Edith was below, out of the worst danger. On deck, Arthur held Natalie, the woman he loved.

The battered ship survived. Natalie did not. Neither did many of the people Arthur had left behind. Saving the world had not spared the people in front of him.

On the voyage home, Edith remained his friend. He could not turn that night into a happy ending. She did not ask him to.

She had been frightened on the road. She had stayed anyway. Long after the danger passed, Arthur was still learning how much that had cost her.