Chapter 70: The World Full of Fears
The highway stretched before them, covered in darkness and broken only by the occasional sliver of moonlight filtering through the thick clouds. Leo’s small, burning body was nestled in her arms, his fever escalating with every passing minute. His face was flushed the normally pale skin now a startling red, and his breathing was shallow, ragged.
Every few steps, she glanced down at him, checking for signs that he was still breathing, still with her.
"Hold on, baby, please hold on," Zara whispered through gritted teeth, her voice breaking at the edges. She rocked gently, trying to calm herself, though the panic that had been building in her chest for hours refused to ease.
Winter moved ahead, his figure a shadow against the blackened world.
Zara bit down on the tremor in her voice. "Winter, we need to—" Her words faltered as she looked at Leo again, his small face flushed, his breathing shallow and rapid. "We need to find somewhere now. Please."
Winter turned just enough to meet her gaze, his expression troubled. She saw the brief flicker of emotions in his eyes, worry and concern, but he masked it. "We’re close. Just a little farther."
She stumbled over a loose stone, her legs buckling slightly under the weight she carried, but she caught herself, gritting her teeth against the panic rising in her throat.
"Zara," Winter called, he didn’t turn to face her, but she could hear the tone in his voice. "We are closer to the buildings now. I’ll find us a spot."
Her throat tightened as she nodded, too aware of how Leo’s body was becoming an oven in her arms. She could feel the heat radiating off him, making her own skin itch, sweat prickling under her clothes.
Leo’s voice, cracked and weak, broke through the haze of her panic.
"Mommy..." he whispered, his little voice trembling.