CHAPTER 46: 46:

The cold wind whipped through the abandoned street, carrying with it the smell of rust and decay. Only this time it wasn’t because of the zombies. No, it was because of the men and women who found it easy to kill and steal from each other with ease.

Zara had become extra jumpy the closer they got to the borders of the inner district. She honestly just wanted to pass through at this point. Zara kept her steps light, her eyes scanning the surroundings, always alert. The kids were close behind, Leo hitching a ride on her hip as he always does.

She kept a close watch on him, though his breathing had returned to a steadier rhythm since the last episode a few days ago, she couldn’t ignore the fear she felt the last time.

Kit, ever the ball of energy, was skipping ahead, his footsteps light and quick, his gaze darting to and fro. But Zara saw it—the way his eyes lingered on Leo now and then, a tightness around his mouth. Something was off with him. He was trying to be his usual energetic self, but the nervousness was evident. Why did he feel the need to pretend? She frowned and quickened her pace to catch up.

"Kit," she called out.

He slowed down, glancing back at her, his smile forced. "Yeah, Mom?"

Zara tried not to blink at the title. She studied him for a moment, his eyes too wide, his movements too jerky. It was like he was holding something in, something he didn’t want to say. Her heart squeezed. She didn’t want to push him, but she had learned to read the subtle cues—Kit was good at pretending, but he couldn’t hide everything from her.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her tone soft

He hesitated, then shrugged, turning his face away as if the question wasn’t worth answering. "I’m fine."

He ran off to meet Mia who had gotten ahead of them.

Zara opened her mouth to press further, but her attention was stolen by a sudden sharp intake of breath beside her. Leo.

She froze.

Leo’s small frame was trembling now, his breathing erratic as he squeezed her hand tighter. Zara felt the panic building within her as his breath came faster, shallower. She could feel the familiar panic surging in her chest, but she knew better than to let it show.

"Leo, sweetheart," Zara murmured, her voice low and soothing. She knelt down in front of him, cupping his face with her hands. "Breathe, baby, just breathe. In... out. Can you hear me, Leo?"

His wide, dark eyes locked onto hers, frantic and wide with fear, but she kept her voice steady, her hands gentle as they cupped his cheeks, guiding his breath.

"Shh," she murmured, her fingers brushing the pendant hanging around her neck—Kit’s charm, the button on a string that had become a strange but precious comfort. She tugged it free, clutching it as she breathed in deeply. "Focus on me, Leo. Look at me. It’s okay. You’re okay."

She could feel his little body quivering, could feel his heart pounding against her palms. But slowly, gradually, his breath began to even out. His frantic gasps slowed, and his eyes softened, though there was still a trace of unease there.

She let out a quiet breath of her own, her heart racing. Zara’s grip on the charm tightened. She looked down at the button, at the little gesture from Kit that had somehow become a lifeline.

Leo’s eyes fluttered shut, his breath stilling as he rested his forehead against hers. He was so small. So fragile.

"Better?" she asked gently.

Leo nodded, his eyes still wide but the terror had faded. "Yeah. I feel better, Mama."

Zara pulled him into a tight hug, pressing her cheek against his, feeling the warmth of his small body against hers. "I’m so proud of you," she whispered.

Leo smiled weakly, but there was still a slight tremor in his limbs that hadn’t quite settled. Zara knew he wasn’t out of the woods yet. She could feel it in her gut.

Zara tightened her hold around him for a moment before gently pulling away, her eyes scanning the street again, the ever-present wariness returning.

"Come on, let’s keep moving," she murmured, rubbing his back.

Kit rushed over, panting slightly, snow covering his face and hair. He clearly fell somewhere. Zara’s lips twitched as she gently dusted the snow off him. "What did I tell you about running around in the snow?"

"I’m sorry," Kit smiled happily at her, then turned to Leo. "Is the baby ok?"

"Yes, he’s fine now. Thanks to you," she smiled back at him as Mia trudged backto them.

"Let’s find shelter for the night," Mia said, her voice rougher than usual, tinged with an undercurrent of strain. She nodded toward an abandoned shop a few blocks down. "That looks like a good place. We’ll be safe there for now."

Zara didn’t question her, though she couldn’t shake the feeling that Mia was acting strange by the day. She gave her a nod, but her eyes lingered on Mia’s face. Zara pushed the thought aside. They needed shelter. They needed rest.

The shop was dark, the glass of the windows long shattered, leaving only a skeleton of a building. But the walls were intact, and the space inside was relatively clear. It was as good as it was going to get.

Zara collapsed into one of the corners, Leo curling up beside her, looking smaller than ever. He pressed into her side, seeking comfort as the world outside turned colder. Kit immediately started exploring, his enthusiasm dampened but still apparent.

"Mia, let’s go and check the place out," He beamed, pulling his reluctant older sister along.

"Stay close, guys," Zara whispered, her fingers running through Loe’s messy hair. She could feel the knot of worry in her stomach grow tighter. She needed to figure out what was happening with him. She needed to understand his power and how to stop it from hurting him.

Leo’s eyes fluttered as if fighting off sleep. "Mama?" His voice was small, barely a whisper.

"Yes, baby?" Zara’s heart softened, her gaze moving to meet his.

"Can I... show you something?" he asked, his voice almost shy, but there was a spark of excitement in his eyes.

Zara’s brow furrowed. "What do you want to show me?"

He sat up, his small hands reaching for a wooden crate in the corner of the room. Zara watched him, intrigued but still cautious. He hadn’t been able to hold much before, only small, delicate objects. But now, his fingers grazed the crate—and then it was gone.

Zara blinked, her breath catching in her throat. The crate had vanished like it had never been there at all.

Leo giggled, the sound pure and light. "I feel better now, Mama."

Zara’s heart stuttered in her chest.

"You’re—" She stopped herself.

She reached down, her fingers brushing over where the crate had been moments ago. There was no trace of it, no sign that anything had been altered aside from the dust outline where it had once been.

Her mind raced as she thought back to the last time Leo had had an episode.

His power was growing.

But was that a good thing?

She turned back to Leo as she heard him cough. "Baby?" She asked, frowning. "What’s wrong?"

Leo stopped coughing and shook his head. "I good."

Zara’s hands trembled, but she forced herself to calm down. Leo looked up at her with a bright smile, as if he had just done something wonderful. Zara smiled back, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She wasn’t happy about him using his powers so soon after an episode. How had he known he could do this? was it an instinctive thing?

"Remember," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is our secret, okay?"

Leo nodded quickly, his eyes gleaming. He was so innocent, so unaware of the danger that was steadily creeping closer. Zara’s chest tightened at the thought. She had to protect him. She would protect him no matter the cost.

The sound of footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. Mia and Kit had returned, their figures emerging from the dark doorway. But something was different.

Zara’s eyes immediately zeroed in on Mia’s arm.

A fresh scratch marred her skin—thin, red, and raw. Zara’s heart skipped a beat, her instincts screaming. But Mia was already brushing it off, her voice casual, too casual.

"I tripped," she said, her eyes avoiding Zara’s gaze. "Nothing to worry about."

Zara’s gaze flicked from the scratch to Mia’s face. Mia was hiding something.

Her unease grew, the pit in her stomach churning. Something was wrong. Something had happened while they were out. But what?

And why was Mia so tense, so jumpy?

Zara didn’t speak. She only watched, her heart pounding. A sound echoed in the distance that made them all jump.

Gunshots.

They were getting in over their heads with these territorial gang wars happening.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Zara was afraid.