Page 12 of Walking in Darkness

Sorrow swam through me, and I brushed my fingers through his hair. “Not yet. I have to go away for a little while longer, but I promise I will come back to visit soon.”

“You’d better hurry up, because it’s going to be my birthday in six weeks!” Mitch said.

My spirit pinched, and I prayed it wasn’t a lie when I told him, “I definitely can’t miss that, can I?”

“You better not. It’s gonna be extra fun because Mom said I get an ice cream cake.”

“Wow, then I definitely have to be here.”

I could feel Brianna approaching from behind.

Filled with caution.

My brothers released me as I straightened, and there was no missing the fear in Brianna’s eyes. She was obviously old enough to recognize the trauma that had befallen our family in the last two weeks. No way to keep her from the pain and distress.

Her steps were slow, but the second I murmured her name, she broke. She ran to me in pure desperation, slamming against me in a tidal wave of relief. I hugged her tight as she sobbed. “I was so scared, Aria. I was so scared.”

My heart groaned. “I know. I was scared, too. But it’s all going to be okay.”

It had to be.

She clung to me. “I want you to stay.”

“I wish I could, but I have to go away for a while longer.”

Last night, Pax and I had contemplated finding a place to settle. A place to make our home. But now ... it felt dangerous to remain in one spot. Running was the only thing we knew.

Maybe one day I could return. Settle close. Become a constant in their lives. But not when so many questions remained around us.

Nodding, she peeled herself away. “I understand.”

“I expect to see an amazing performance from your dance troupe as soon as I get back,” I tried to tease, though it came out thick.

She fumbled over an uncertain laugh, her brown eyes shining as she looked at me. “I’ll be practicing every day.”

“I can’t wait to see it.”

“Would you mind taking your brothers back to your grandmother’s house?” our mother asked her.

Brianna also seemed to have matured a decade since I’d been gone, and without argument, she took the boys’ hands. “Come on. Let’s go get warmed up. I think my toes are going to fall off.”

She stalled and lifted her chin. “Come back to us.”

My nod was jerky. “I will.”

Without saying anything else, she turned to lead them away, though both my brothers were shouting, “Bye, Aria! We’ll see you soon!”

Brianna glanced back once, her sweet face full of grief and belief, before she hurried across the street and down the sidewalk.

Once they’d disappeared, my mother stood, in disquiet, shifting from foot to foot. “How long will you be away?”

“I don’t know. Until it’s safe.”

“Please be that, Aria—safe. We need you here. In our lives. We all love and miss you so much.”

“I know,” I promised, “and I’m so thankful.”

She pulled me into the tightest hug as she whispered in my ear, “My beautiful, brave, awe-inspiring girl. Take care. I will be thinking about you every second.”