Chapter 42:Just What had the World Become?
The morning was grey, the pale sunlight struggling through heavy clouds. Zara adjusted the strap of her bag, the weight of supplies pulling at her shoulders as she trudged through the snow-covered streets. Mia walked a few paces ahead with Kit and Leo, the younger boy skipping clumsily in the snow while Kit launched into yet another animated story. The crisp air carried the sound of Kit’s voice, high-pitched and excited, like a welcome reprieve from the grim silence that usually dominated their days.
"...And then Dad said it wasn’t just a lake; it was the biggest lake we’d ever seen. It went on forever!" Kit was practically bouncing as he spoke, his small frame somehow vibrant despite the cold and exhaustion etched into his face.
Zara’s eyes flicked to Mia. She walked stiffly, her back straight and her gloved hands tucked deep into her coat pockets. Every so often, her lips tightened at Kit’s enthusiasm, and Zara knew Mia was biting back words.
"Right, Mia?" Kit turned to her eagerly, his brown eyes wide with expectation. "It was so big, wasn’t it? You remember!"
Mia faltered, her steps slowing as tension rippled across her expression. Her shoulders hunched, and her lips pressed into a thin line. "I... I don’t remember much," she muttered, her voice clipped.
"But you said it was—"
"I don’t remember!" Mia snapped, the words sharp and loud enough to cut through the air.
Kit stumbled to a halt, blinking up at her with wide, startled eyes. Even Leo, perched on Zara’s hip, flinched, his small fingers tightening against her coat. Zara felt the ripple of unease between them.
"Mia," Zara said softly, her tone more reproachful than angry. She adjusted Leo in her arms, her gaze steady on the teenager. "You don’t have to take your frustration out on Kit. He’s just a kid."
Mia turned, surprise flashing in her expression as if she hadn’t expected Zara to speak up. Her mouth opened, then closed again, and for a moment, she looked as though she might argue. But then Zara caught the flicker of regret that Mia tried to mask, the way her hands twitched in her pockets.
"Sorry," Mia said finally, her voice low and subdued. She didn’t meet Kit’s eyes as she added, "I didn’t mean to yell at you."