Chapter Thirty Five — Peace Never Lasts Serena “Mommy.” He was not just calling out to me, he was crying. It was a call for help. A sound full of fear. A sound no mother wants to hear. I opened my eyes fast. My heart was beating so hard. I jumped to my feet, grabbed the thin blanket off my legs, and ran out of the small shelter we had built with sticks and cloth. “Liam!” I shouted. “What happened?” He was standing just outside. His little face was pale. His eyes were wide with fear. He pointed with a shaking hand. “Men… so many men,” he whispered. “They came from the woods.” My heart stopped. I couldn’t breathe for a second. Jeremy was already outside. He had heard Liam too. He stood in front of us now, growling low. His hands were shaking but strong. He looked into the trees. Then I saw him. Jake. He stepped out from the shadows like a nightmare. His eyes were cold. His face was tight with anger. He stood tall and proud, like he owned the world. Behind him
Chapter Twenty Four Third Person’s Perspective The door slammed behind Jake as he walked out into the cold rain, an evil smile tugged at his lips “Soon, Serena, very soon” Inside the quiet house, miles away, Serena shifted on the bed, holding her stomach. Her breath was uneven, her hands trembling as another sharp pain shot through her lower belly. She had been feeling strange all day,tightness, pressure, something she couldn’t explain. But now… it was worse. “Jeremy?” she called out softly. Her voice was weak. Jeremy walked into the room holding a plate of rice and chicken. “You didn’t eat lunch. Try something now. Just a little.” Serena shook her head. “I… I don’t feel good.” She closed her eyes. “My stomach… it hurts. Bad.” Jeremy put the plate down fast. “What kind of pain? Like cramps?” She nodded slowly. “But stronger… deeper. Like the baby’s trying to come out.” Jeremy’s heart jumped. He stepped closer. “That’s not possible. You’re only eight months. One m
Chapter Thirty Three First Person’s Perspective Serena The first night after we left the pack was the hardest. We didn’t have a home. We didn’t have a plan. Just a bag with a few clothes, some snacks, and each other. We walked for hours. The sun went down slowly, and the sky turned dark. I held Liam’s hand the whole time. Jeremy walked beside us, quiet, always looking around for danger. “Where are we going?” Liam asked after a while. “We’re looking for a safe place, sweetheart,” I said, brushing his hair back. “Somewhere we can rest.” “I’m tired,” he whispered. “I know,” Jeremy said. “We’ll stop soon, I promise.” We found a small cave that night. It wasn’t much,just some rocks and cold ground,but it was better than nothing. Jeremy made a small fire outside, far enough so no one would notice the smoke. I wrapped Liam in a jacket and held him close. “I’m scared,” he said softly, his head resting on my chest. “I am too,” I whispered. “But we’re together. That’s
Chapter Thirty Two First Person’s Perspective Serena At first, no one moved. We all just stood there, staring at the fire. Our house was gone. Everything we had inside was now dust and ashes. I didn’t even hear the cars at first. The loud engine sounds came so fast, followed by the screech of tires. Black cars, three of them. They pulled up in front of what used to be our home. Then the men stepped out. They wore all black,black boots, black shirts, black gloves. Their faces were covered with dark masks. Each one carried a gun, long and heavy. They pointed them at Jeremy and me. “Hands in the air! Now!” one of them shouted. My hands shot up right away. My heart was racing. My eyes burned from the smoke. I could barely breathe. My chest was tight, and my legs felt weak. I didn’t know who they were or what they wanted. But the guns were real. The danger was real. But Jeremy… he didn’t move. Not an inch. He stood tall, arms at his sides. His fists were clenched. Hi
Chapter Thirty One Third Person’s Perspective “Honey…please eat your breakfast before it gets too cold” Serena told her son, who had been playing with his meal since it was brought to the tableHe thought that if he took long enough, then the bus would leave without him and that way he wouldn’t have to go to school “I am eating as fast as I can, mom” he answered, all the while still playing with the food Jeremy walked in, he seemed to have noticed the attitude Liam was passingInstantly, he knew something was bothering the little guy “Buddy” he called out, drawing a chair and sitting next to Liam“Is someone still bothering you at school?” Liam shook his head but his father could sense that he wasn’t saying the truthHe always wondered if they had super powers and could read his mind and also tell when he wasn’t saying the truth, but even still, he was determined to hide it from them“Talk to me, I’m here” Jeremy nudged but he remained adamant“You see what mother did the other
Chapter Thirty First Person’s Perspective Serena I always knew something was wrong. Liam was not smiling like before. Every morning, when it was time for school, he became quiet. He used to eat breakfast fast and talk about planets or bugs. Now, he just pushed the food around his plate. “Liam,” I said softly one morning, “what’s wrong?” He shook his head. “Nothing.” But I knew he was lying. A mother always knows. Jeremy noticed too. He said we should wait, give Liam time. “Maybe it’s just the new routine,” he told me. “School is still new.” I wanted to believe him. I wanted to think it was nothing. But every day, Liam looked more tired. More sad. His eyes lost that spark. One morning, I saw him sitting on his bed, still in pajamas, staring at the wall. School was in twenty minutes. “Liam, come on, baby. Time to dress.” He didn’t move. “Liam?” He turned to me slowly, his eyes shiny. “I don’t want to go.” I walked to him and knelt down. “Why, sweethear