CHAPTER 19: 19: THE WORLD WAS A SCARY PLACE

Zara’s breaths came in sharp, ragged gasps as she limped down the cracked street, Leo clutched tightly in her arms. Every step sent a jolt of agony shooting up from her swollen ankle, but she gritted her teeth and pressed on.

It seemed she had twisted it as she jumped out of the window. It was already a miracle she hadn’t broken anything or knocked herself unconscious.

The faint cries of hostile humans faded behind her, but the sound of their curses still echoed in her ears.

The street stretched before her, an empty wasteland of broken-down cars, weeds bursting through the cracks in the asphalt, and shattered glass glinting in the fading sunlight. Somewhere in the distance, a guttural groan cut through the stillness, raising the fine hairs on the back of her neck. Her arms tightened around Leo, who buried his tear-streaked face into her shoulder as he hiccuped.

"They’re gone, baby," she whispered, her voice trembling but soft as she rubbed his back. "We’re safe now."

Leo whimpered, clutching her shirt with trembling hands. "The bad people... they said they’d hurt me..."

Zara’s stomach twisted at his words, but she forced her voice to stay steady. "No one’s going to hurt you. Mommy won’t let them. I promise."

Her ankle buckled slightly as she stepped over a fallen branch, and a cry escaped her lips. Pain flared so sharply that she nearly stumbled, but she caught herself against a rusted car door. Leo gasped, his small hands reaching up to cup her face.

"Mommy, are you okay?" His wide, tear-filled eyes stared into hers, full of worry.

"I’m fine," she lied, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "Mommy’s just tired, that’s all."

But she wasn’t fine. Every movement was excruciating, and her twisted ankle throbbed with every heartbeat. The swelling had grown worse since their frantic escape and it was taking a lot of effort not to cry.

Spotting a narrow alleyway between two collapsed buildings, Zara hobbled toward it, her breaths growing more labored. Once in the relative cover of the alley, she set Leo down gently on a crumbling box. The relief of releasing his weight was almost immediate, but her ankle still screamed in protest.

She sank onto a discarded crate, lifting her throbbing ankle to inspect the damage. The sight of the swollen, discolored joint made her stomach churn.

She bit her lip to keep from crying out, her mind racing. How am I going to walk on this? How am I going to keep us safe like this?

Leo crouched beside her, his wide eyes filled with concern. "Mama... your leg looks like it hurts."

"I’m fine," Zara lied, her lips curling into a weak smile. The pain was blinding, radiating up her calf like fire, but she couldn’t let Leo see her weakness. "It’s just a little hurt. I’ll fix it."

She reached for her sleeve, tearing a strip of fabric with shaking hands. Her fingers fumbled as she wrapped it tightly around her ankle, each pull of the makeshift bandage sending a fresh wave of agony through her body.

Leo leaned closer, his small hands brushing against hers. "I can help," he said softly, his voice trembling with earnestness.

"Thank you, sweetheart," Zara said, her heart aching at his innocence. She guided his hands to smooth the fabric, her breath hitching as she fought back tears.

The sharp, bitter edge of anger rose within her as she tied off the bandage. Humans. They were supposed to stick together against the real monsters, but those people had taken Leo—her baby—held him like bait.

She clenched her jaw, her thoughts a storm of rage and disbelief. How could they be so cruel? The zombies were terrifying, yes, but at least their savagery was mindless, not calculated. The memory of the leader’s sneering face flashed in her mind, and she shuddered. She could still feel the dread that had settled in her stomach when that bitch had grabbed Leo’s arm, still hear the boy’s terrified screams.

"I hate them," she whispered under her breath, her fingers tightening into fists.

Leo tilted his head, his tear-streaked face peering up at her. "Mama?"

Her heart sank. "Nothing, baby," she said quickly, forcing a soft smile. "Mama’s just... tired."

Leo nodded, his little brow furrowing as he looked down at his own hands. Zara’s chest tightened at the sight. She pulled him closer and wiped his face gently.

She wondered if there were any clothes in Leo’s space. They were not well covered for the Mist. She turned back to examine the bandage on her leg.

Leo’s worried gaze didn’t change. "I don’t like the bad people. Why were they so mean?"

Zara froze, her hands trembling as she tied off the bandage. How could she explain something like that to a three-year-old? "I don’t know, baby," she said finally, her voice breaking. "Some people... they’re just scared. And when people are scared, they do bad things."

"But you’re scared," Leo said innocently. "And you’re not bad."

His words hit her like a punch to the gut. She blinked back tears, pulling him into her arms. "No, I’m not bad. But I’m scared because I want to keep you safe. That’s the most important thing to me."

Leo snuggled closer, his tiny body warm against hers. "I’m glad you’re my mommy."

Zara’s chest tightened, and she kissed the top of his head. "And I’m glad you’re my little boy."

But even as she held him, her mind churned with anxiety. Her injured ankle was a death sentence in this world. Every step would be slower, every escape harder. They were already vulnerable—now, they were sitting ducks.

She glanced at Leo, who had pulled his knees to his chest and was fiddling with the hem of his shirt. He’s only three, she thought, despair threatening to consume her. How can I keep him alive when I can barely walk?

A thought suddenly occurred to her.

"Leo," she said gently, brushing his hair back. "Do you think you could check your special place? Maybe there’s something inside that can help Mommy, like a little white box?"

Leo hesitated, then nodded, his tiny brows furrowing in concentration.

She watched as a medical kit suddenly materialized in his hand. It never ceased to amaze her how he pulled things from seemingly out of nowhere.

Leo held out his hand, eyes lighting up. "Look, Mommy! I found this!"

Zara’s breath caught. "Good job, baby!" she said, taking the kit from him. It wasn’t much, but it had a few adhesive bandages, a small bottle of antiseptic, and a roll of gauze. She used the gauze to reinforce her makeshift bandage around her ankle.

As she worked, Leo sat cross-legged beside her, watching her intently. "Will your leg get better soon?" he asked, his voice hopeful.

"It will," Zara said, though she wasn’t sure if she believed it. "But it might take a little while. So you’ll have to help me, okay?"

"Okay," Leo agreed solemnly, puffing out his chest in an attempt to look brave.

Zara smiled faintly, her fingers brushing his cheek. "That’s my boy."

But her smile faded as she glanced at the street beyond the alley. Her mind raced with calculations.

A sprained ankle could take weeks to heal, and walking on it would only make it worse. Yet, staying still wasn’t an option. This world didn’t allow for rest or recovery.

They had no food, no water, and no safe place to rest. The pocket dimension had saved them more than once, but it was unreliable. What if it ran out? What if—

Zara shook her head, forcing herself to focus. She exhaled shakily, her gaze flicking to the empty street. "We have to keep moving," she murmured.

"But your leg..." Leo protested with a pout.

"I’ll be okay," Zara said, though the lie tasted bitter.

She found a piece of broken wood nearby, fashioning it into a makeshift crutch. It wasn’t perfect, but it would have to do.

She helped Leo to his feet, her own movements stiff and pained. "Can you hold Mommy’s hand while we walk?"

Leo nodded, slipping his small hand into hers. Together, they hobbled out of the alley and onto the overgrown street.

The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the crumbling ruins. The air grew colder, and Zara pulled Leo closer, wrapping her arm around his.

"Mommy," Leo called softly.

"Yes baby?" She squeezed his hand gently.

"Do you think the monsters were always monsters?" he asked, his wide eyes staring up at her.

She paused, her mind flashing to the day everything had changed—the day the mist had suddenly appeared. "No," she said softly. "I think they were people once. Just like us."

"Oh, ok." He said and continued to walk quietly. Zara arched an eyebrow at him, what was on his tiny mind?

"Mommy?" Leo said after a while, his voice small. "I’m tired of walking, my feet hurt. When can we go home?"

Zara hesitated, her eyes stinging with tears she refused to shed. "I know you’re tired baby, we’ll find somewhere to rest soon," she said, keeping her voice steady. "And as for home... we’ll find one, baby. I promise."

Leo was quiet for a moment. "Do you think the bad people could turn into monsters?"

The question sent a shiver down her spine as she thought of the creatures she had faced with that annoying stranger.

The stronger, faster ones. If she were to run into them in this condition?

"Maybe," she said, squeezing his hand. "But we won’t let them hurt us. Okay?"

"Okay," Leo whispered.

They walked in silence for a while, the distant groans of zombies and the rustling of leaves keeping Zara’s nerves on edge.

As they turned a corner, Leo’s voice broke the silence. "Mommy, do you remember when I was a baby?"

This time, Zara’s lips twitched into a small smile. "Of course I do. You were the sweetest baby in the world and you still are."

"I’m not a baby, I’m a big boy!" He pouted and Zara tried not to laugh at his face.

"I’m sorry, my Leo is such a big boy already," she agreed.

Leo nodded. "Did Daddy like me when I was a baby?"

Her heart ached at the mention of Damon, but she forced herself to answer. "Daddy loved you so much.."

Her mind drifted to a memory.

Flashback

She was in a hospital bed, cradling a tiny, squirming bundle in her arms. Damon sat beside her, his hand resting gently on Leo’s head.

"You did so well, Zara," he had said, his voice filled with awe. "He’s perfect. Just like you."

Tears had filled her eyes then, but they were tears of joy. Damon had kissed her forehead, his voice soft but firm. "We’re going to give him the best life, Zara. I swear it."

Flashback end

The memory brought a bittersweet smile to her lips, but it faded as the present crashed back in. The world they had dreamed of for Leo was gone, and Damon was gone with it.

Zara shook her head, forcing herself to focus. Leo needed her now, and she couldn’t afford to dwell on the past.

As the shadows deepened, a low growl reached her ears. Her heart leapt into her throat as she froze, pulling Leo close. The sound of shuffling footsteps followed, the unmistakable sound of zombies nearby.

"Leo," she whispered urgently, crouching down to meet his wide-eyed gaze. "We need to hide. Stay close to me, okay?"

He nodded, his small hands gripping hers tightly.

Zara scanned the area, her eyes landing on an abandoned building with a partially collapsed doorway. It wasn’t ideal, but it was better than being out in the open.

"Come on," she said, her voice low but firm. She hobbled toward the building, every step sending jolts of pain through her leg.

They slipped inside, the air thick with dust and decay. Zara guided Leo to a corner, pressing her back against the wall as she pulled out her knife.

The growls grew louder, accompanied by the faint shuffle of feet. Zara’s heart pounded in her chest as she stared into the shadows, every muscle in her body tense.

She held Leo close, her fingers trembling as she gripped the knife. The darkness pressed in around them, the sound of danger drawing nearer.