My cry cuts through the air, but nothing responds but fierce shouts and painful grunts. My hands fly out, fighting off the hands that latch onto me.
“It’s me, baby. Momma’s got you.”
I sob as my mom swoops me up, tosses me on her back, and takes off running.
“No, Daddy.”
“He’ll be okay, Thayla girl. Don’t look back.”
She runs with the speed of the wind, cutting through more dark streets, until they eventually give way to woods. Her steps never slow. Neither does my tears nor my soft whimpers for my dad.
Footsteps pound behind us and I shriek, but Mom whips around.
“Thane.” She gasps.
“We have to keep moving. Let me hold her.”
My dad grabs me under my outstretched arms and I cling to his shirt for dear life.
“It’s okay, my girl. Everything’s okay. Lay your head down.”
I do as he says, sniffling and shaking as the night becomes even darker.
The only sound to be heard for a long time is the crunching of leaves and limbs, Dad’s heartbeat, and Mom’s heavy breaths.
“Is she asleep?” Mom asks quietly.
Dad’s finger runs under my chin, but my lids are so heavy, I can’t lift them to let him know I’m awake.
“Yeah, she’s out.”
“They’re taking so many people.”
“I know. There’s nothing we can do.”
“I know that. I just…” Mom’s sigh isn’t only thick but watery. “Did Derivius say if the boys are okay?”
“They’re okay as they can be. They helped take out a quarter of the Abandon. He’s recouping his losses.”
“Valories. Them…our baby girl. They deserve better than this. She deserves better than this.”
My dad’s hand tightens around me and a shuddering breath falls from his lips. The warmth of it spreads across my chilled forehead.
“I know. She can’t come with us anymore, Anylah.”
“What?” Mom shrieks andI flinch.
My dad coos, running his hand down my back. “You’re okay,” he murmurs repeatedly until my body falls weightless once more.
“You’re right, she deserves better than this. She needs stability, safety, and the chance not to be snatched out of her new, always-changing bed. This is hard, but we have to do what’s right by her, and that’s not this.”
“What are you suggesting, Thane?”
“We’re taking her to Oddian.”
“Come on, Thayla. Open your eyes for me.”
Strong hands grip my cheeks, and I attempt to draw in a deep breath, but my soul, maybe it’s my panic, is suffocating me.
