Chapter 19: The World Was A Scary Place
Zara’s breaths came in sharp, ragged gasps as she limped down the cracked street, Leo clutched tightly in her arms. Every step sent a jolt of agony shooting up from her swollen ankle, but she gritted her teeth and pressed on.
It seemed she had twisted it as she jumped out of the window. It was already a miracle she hadn’t broken anything or knocked herself unconscious.
The faint cries of hostile humans faded behind her, but the sound of their curses still echoed in her ears.
The street stretched before her, an empty wasteland of broken-down cars, weeds bursting through the cracks in the asphalt, and shattered glass glinting in the fading sunlight. Somewhere in the distance, a guttural groan cut through the stillness, raising the fine hairs on the back of her neck. Her arms tightened around Leo, who buried his tear-streaked face into her shoulder as he hiccuped.
"They’re gone, baby," she whispered, her voice trembling but soft as she rubbed his back. "We’re safe now."
Leo whimpered, clutching her shirt with trembling hands. "The bad people... they said they’d hurt me..."
Zara’s stomach twisted at his words, but she forced her voice to stay steady. "No one’s going to hurt you. Mommy won’t let them. I promise."
Her ankle buckled slightly as she stepped over a fallen branch, and a cry escaped her lips. Pain flared so sharply that she nearly stumbled, but she caught herself against a rusted car door. Leo gasped, his small hands reaching up to cup her face.
"Mommy, are you okay?" His wide, tear-filled eyes stared into hers, full of worry.
"I’m fine," she lied, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "Mommy’s just tired, that’s all."
But she wasn’t fine. Every movement was excruciating, and her twisted ankle throbbed with every heartbeat. The swelling had grown worse since their frantic escape and it was taking a lot of effort not to cry.