Chapter 91 Chaotic situation
When she turned back to her babies, they were all gathered in a tight little group, eyes wide, some confused, some scared.
Alina walked slowly toward them, keeping her face as soft and calm as she could, even though her breath was catching and her knees felt unsteady.
Then Sable’s eyes welled with tears. The quietest child in her class, the one who barely spoke — his small lips quivered and then his face crumpled. He burst into soft sobs that barely made a sound, and Alina froze.
"Oh— sweetheart..." she whispered and quickly bent down.
She wrapped her arms around him and scooped him into her lap like he was a toddler. His face buried into her shoulder immediately, his tiny hands gripping her blouse.
Alina rocked him slowly, gently, her voice a whisper against his ear. "It’s okay... shhh, nothing will happen. I’ve got you, Sable. You’re safe."
She could feel his little heart pounding, his sobs shaking through her arms. After a few moments, he calmed slightly, still hiccuping, but not shaking so hard. She gave him a soft kiss on the forehead and whispered again, "Nothing will happen. I promise."
But then another sound came — a sniffling, louder this time.
Rocky.
She turned her head and saw Rocky stumbling backward toward the corner, tears in his wide eyes. Before she could reach him, he panicked and turned into his rock form with a little pop.
"Rocky!" she gasped, quickly placing Sable down and rushing over.
The rock — small, gray, and smooth was trembling in place. She knelt and picked him up with both arms. He was heavier now, but she held him close against her chest and rocked him like before.