Chapter 47: A World Full of Shadows
As the sun dipped below the horizon, a chill crept into the air, turning the crumbling walls of their refuge into icy slates. Zara pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders, her thoughts drifting between the weight of Mia’s warning and the memory of Kit’s innocent "Mom."
Leo stirred beside her, his small body nestled into her side. His face was soft with the peacefulness of sleep, his breaths steady but faint, a rhythm she’d grown hyperaware of in the past weeks. She brushed a stray curl off his forehead, her fingers lingering for a moment.
I’m not his mother, she reminded herself, though the thought felt increasingly hollow. Yet, how could she not protect him like he was her own?
Her gaze shifted to Kit, now lying on his stomach a few feet away, idly twirling the little metal trinket between his fingers. His humming had stopped, replaced by quiet murmurs as he narrated some imagined adventure under his breath. He caught her watching and flashed a grin that sent a pang of warmth through her.
"You should sleep soon," Zara said softly, not wanting to wake Leo.
"Sleep’s boring," Kit replied with a playful shrug. "I’ll keep watch with Mia."
Zara didn’t miss the way his gaze darted toward Mia, a flicker of something unreadable passing over his face. Concern? Fear?
Kit’s energy, so vibrant most of the time, seemed dimmed tonight. Zara opened her mouth to ask what was on his mind but hesitated. Kit had been through too much already—whatever his worries were, she didn’t want to burden him further.
Instead, she rose slowly, careful not to disturb Leo. "Stay here," she said. "I’ll check the supplies."
Kit nodded absently, his fingers still fiddling with the trinket.
Zara moved toward the far corner of the room where their meager stash of food and tools was tucked away. Mia stood near the broken window, her posture as sharp as the knife she held. The tension in her frame was palpable, a reminder of her earlier warning.