Page 25 of The Survivors (The Children of the Sun God #4)
Lena
“As we step into this new world, I carry the memories of everything we’ve left behind, but in Serafim’s wonder and Isaak’s steady presence, I find a fragile hope that we’ll not only survive but thrive.”
“Colin. Can you hear me?” I ask into the phone I hold awkwardly to my ear.
“I can hear you, Momma.”
He sounds tired.
“We’re leaving. Isaak said we’ll meet you in three days at a place called the Cache Creek Casino. Do you think you can find it?”
“I’ll find it. I miss you.”
“I miss you too, baby. We’ll be together soon.”
“Only if Circe and I are truly mates. If Helios doesn’t bless us, we’ll have to keep running.”
“I have faith, baby. Everything is going to work out.”
“What if it doesn’t?”
“If I’ve learned anything from Isaak, it’s that he would do anything for me. We’ll run with you if we have to, but my heart believes it won’t come to that.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I’ll see you in a few days, and you’ll see.”
“Love you, Momma.”
“Love you too, baby.”
I hang up the phone and return it to my sunshine. Since our talk last night, he’s gone from Sunshine to my sunshine.
Serafim has a small backpack with a few things tucked away inside of it on his back.
I have my own to carry and Isaak has a large one with supplies for our journey.
It’s cowardly, I know, but we left before the others woke. I told them of our plans to leave last night, but I didn’t have the strength to say goodbye forever to the only family I’ve ever known.
Only Niki is my blood sister. The others are sisters forged from trauma.
I don’t worry about Niki with Michail taking care of her.
As we make our way through the narrow, winding path of the Yonah mountains, I feel both the apprehension and excitement about the journey ahead.
Serafim skips beside me. The tiny backpack on his shoulders bounces with each step. His eyes roam the landscape with boundless awe. Every leaf, every shadow, every sound is new to him. He bends down to pick up pebbles and twigs. His face lights up with each discovery.
“Momma, what’s that sound?” he asks, pausing mid-step to listen to the wind rustling through the trees.
I kneel beside him, letting his hand find mine. “That’s the wind, sweetheart. It’s how the trees talk to each other.” The wind in the labyrinth rustled the leaves on occasion but not as powerful as they did in the human world.
He tilts his head, absorbing this new world, one tiny piece at a time. Isaak, leading us with steady confidence, looks back and gives me a small nod—an assurance that he’s got us, and that we’ll be okay.
We walk for hours, stopping only briefly to rest and eat from Isaak’s backpack. He packed enough for us to make it through the mountains.
When we finally reach the edge of the road, Serafim squeals. A highway stretches out before us, wide and busy, with cars zooming by at speeds Serafim can hardly fathom.
“Those are cars, love,” I explain when he gasps at the sight. “Machines that help people travel quickly.”
Serafim clutches my hand tighter. His small fingers dig in with nervous excitement. Isaak guides us to a small bus stop where we wait in silence. The enormity of the journey settling into me.
When the bus arrives, Serafim clambers aboard, his eyes widening at the rows of seats and the strangers already on board. We take our seats with Serafim nestled between Isaak and me. Once the bus roars to life, he giggles.
“Are we flying?” he whispers, wide-eyed.
Isaak smiles, leaning in close. “Not quite, little warrior, but close enough.”
Day Two
The first night, we slept in a small inn along the way. I watched Serafim drift off. His little body sprawled out. His tiny backpack tucked under his head like a pillow. The three of us shared one bed in the quiet of the room.
On the bus the next day, Serafim’s endless questions fill the hours. He asks Isaak about everything—why the trees don’t have walls, why the mountains are so tall, what makes the sky turn orange at dusk. Isaak answers every question with patience, weaving stories into each answer that makes Serafim’s eyes shine with wonder.
Serafim curls up against Isaak’s arm. “What all does a patér do?” he asks, looking up at him with sleepy curiosity.
My sunshine looks down at him with a tender expression. “A patér keeps his family safe, little warrior. Makes sure they’re warm, full, and happy. And that they always know love.”
“Do you like being my patér ?” Serafim asks. His words muffle as he nestles against Isaak.
Isaak’s eyes meet mine, and I see the answer before he even speaks. He pulls Serafim close, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. "Yes, Serafim. With all my heart.”
Day Three
By the third day, the landscape changes from the wild forests and mountains to open plains, then finally to the bustling streets and vast parking lot of the Cache Creek Casino. The bus comes to a halt, and we gather our bags before stepping off into the bright California sunlight. Serafim stares at the towering casino with his mouth open in amazement.
“Is this… another world?” he whispers, clutching my hand.
I laugh, pulling him close. “In a way, yes, love. It’s a world where people come to play games.”
Serafim takes in the flashing lights and throngs of people with wide-eyed wonder. With a steady, protective gaze, Isaak stands beside us. He places a hand on my shoulder, grounding me in the midst of this chaotic new world. We’ve reached our destination even though the journey is just beginning.
“Momma.” Colin’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. My feet take off running for his open arms.