Chapter 43: The World Is a Fragile Promise.
The wind howled through the skeletal buildings, biting at Zara’s exposed skin and stinging her cheeks. She tightened her grip on the small bundle against her chest. Leo’s tiny face was hidden beneath layers of scarves and blankets, only the faint puff of his breath visible through the fabric. They had been travelling deeper into the district and Zara had decided that even if they didn’t find the cache, she would try to leave City B for somewhere safer.
"Watch this, Leo!" Kit called, darting ahead and kicking at a clump of snow. The powder exploded in a flurry, and the ten-year-old’s laughter echoed in the frosty air. He turned back with a wide grin, his cheeks flushed with cold. "Did you see that? I bet I could knock down a whole tree!"
Leo squirmed in her arms, a faint huff escaping him.
"Kit, watch your step!" Zara turned her head sharply, her voice filled with worry. Her eyes scanned the uneven terrain ahead, littered with hidden ice patches and jagged stones masked by the snow.
Kit skidded to a halt, slipping slightly before catching himself. "It’s fine, Zara! I’m good at this," he chirped, flashing a toothy grin.
"You won’t be good at it if you break your leg," Zara shot back, her tone firm but laced with affection. She planted her feet and held out a hand as he stumbled toward her. When he grabbed it, she steadied him, her fingers tightening just enough to make her point clear. "Careful, Kit. We can’t afford injuries out here."
Kit looked up at her, his grin unshaken, his cheeks flushed red from the cold. "Mom always caught me too," he said matter-of-factly, his voice filled with a wistful pride that froze Zara mid-step.
For a moment, the snow seemed to fall quieter. Zara’s breath hitched as she met Kit’s innocent gaze. The word "Mom" hung in the air between them, foreign and fragile. She swallowed, managing a small, startled smile. "Well, I guess that makes two of us," she said softly, brushing the snow from his shoulder.
Behind them, Mia tensed. The shift in her posture was subtle, but Zara noticed the way her shoulders stiffened, the slight narrowing of her eyes. It wasn’t the first time Mia had reacted like this to Kit’s casual mentions of their parents, but Zara couldn’t quite put her finger on what it meant. Grief? Anger? Fear?
"Kit, don’t be stupid. Stop running around and focus."
Kit deflated instantly, his shoulders slumping as he muttered, "I was just playing."