Chapter 59: The World With Family
Zara crouched low, the wet asphalt of the highway dampening her knees through her jeans. Patches of snow clung stubbornly to the edges of the road, glistening in the afternoon sun.
She stood with a sigh, rolling her shoulder. Who would have thought having enough supplies would be an issue?
"Mommy, my boots are squishy," Leo announced, his small voice breaking the eerie silence. He bounced a little, emphasizing the slosh of melted snow soaking into his worn boots.
Zara forced a tight smile and glanced down at him. "I know, baby. We’ll find somewhere dry soon."
Leo nodded, his curly hair bobbing. "Okay." His tone was cheerful, but he stuck closer to her side, his little hand clutching hers like a lifeline.
It has been a few days since their little episode in the rain and things were slowly calming down. Leo had finally asked to walk on his own though he still stuck to her side, which was good for Zara’s weak heart. She wasn’t really ready to let him out of her arms but didn’t want to smother him either.
She scanned the stretch ahead, her breath curling into faint clouds as she exhaled. No movement. That was good. But it was too quiet, the kind of quiet that made her stomach coil tight.
It usually meant something had gone down recently or was about to.
Either scenario weren’t good for her. Especially since her foresight hasn’t been useful recently.
"Some gift you are," she muttered under her breath.
"Mommy," Leo whispered, tugging gently at the hem of her jacket. His small mittened hand trembled. "Are we stopping now?"