Chapter 9: The World Sometimes Had Silver Linings
The rain poured down in thick, brutal sheets against the battered roof, making it impossible to leave the shelter for days on end. Acid rain, Zara thought grimly, listening to its steady hiss. They were safe enough inside, but outside, the world continued to grow harsher and more hostile. The days blurred into one another as the rain continued to fall, and Zara wondered how long they'd have to stay put.
Once again, their supplies were reducing and she knew going out in this weather was impossible.
She tried to keep Leo active with games and stories and just random talks, happy to see that his mind was still very imaginative and on the go. She hadn't packed any books because that wasn't needed right now.
"Leo," Zara called, noticing her baby had an odd expression on his face as he sat on the ground, poking at one of the tins of food. She thought she'd just seen the tin blink out of existence before reappearing a moment later in his tiny hands. "What are you doing?"
Leo looked up with wide, innocent eyes. "It went to my happy place," he said matter-of-factly, as though this explained everything.
"What?"
Zara blinked, 'alright, so I'm not losing my mind and he can actually make things disappear, somehow.' She thought, taking a deep breath as she moved closer to him.
She just had to figure out what exactly he was doing.
"Hey, Leo," she said softly, brushing a damp curl away from his face. "Can you show Mommy what you do with your toys? Like, where they go when they disappear?"
Leo looked up, blinking those big, innocent eyes at her. "My toys?" he asked, tilting his head as if he didn't understand the question.
"Yeah, baby. You know, when they go away and come back." She made her voice light, not wanting to startle him. "Can you tell Mommy where they go?"