Apocalypse Days: I Rule with Foresight and a Powerful Son

Leo watched the flames dance in the night, the fire crackling and casting shadows that flickered across the faces of the people around him. He liked the fire—it was warm and made him feel safe, like when Mommy tucked him in with his favourite blanket.¹

Before we had to leave it behind, he thought with a small frown.

Leo sat comfortably on Zara’s lap, his small hands clutching a piece of bread as she fed him small bites of their shared meal.

But something was different tonight. Mommy was sitting far away from Uncle, and they weren’t talking. Leo tilted his head, his little brow furrowed in confusion as he tried to understand why. Usually, they laughed and talked. But now, they were quiet, and it felt...weird.

The smell of cooking food wafted through the air, making his small stomach rumble. Zara was feeding him spoonfuls of soup, her movements gentle but distracted. Leo could feel her mind wasn’t really with him. She was staring ahead, her lips pressed tightly together, eyes distant.

"Mommy, it’s hot," he said, touching the edge of the bowl.

Zara snapped out of her thoughts and glanced down at him. "Careful, Leo. Let me blow on it first." She took the spoon, gently blowing on the steaming liquid before offering it back to him. "Better?"

Leo nodded, swallowing the warm soup.

He wriggled in Zara’s lap, trying to get comfortable while keeping his focus on the mesmerizing dance of the flames. Something was wrong, he just couldn’t think of it.

He peeked over at Winter, who sat a short distance away, leaning against a log with his arms crossed. The usual warmth in his eyes was missing. Instead, he stared into the fire, lost in thought.

"Why isn’t Uncle Winter sitting with us?" Leo asked, his small voice breaking the quiet.