Chapter 44

Chapter 44
Into the Shadows

I ran. I didn’t stop. My legs burned, my chest ached, but I didn’t care. Caleb pressed to me. His little body shaking. I whispered over and over, “It’s okay, baby. We’re safe. Mommy’s got you.”

The city was dark and lonely streetlights flickered. Some didn’t even work. Shadows moved like they were alive. Every corner looked scary. I wanted to hide. I wanted to cry. But I couldn’t. Not with Caleb in my arms.

I could hear something behind me. Soft. Footsteps maybe. Or her. I didn’t look back. I just ran faster. Caleb’s small whimpers hit my ears. My hands rubbed his back. “Shh, baby. Shh. Mommy’s right here.”

I turned a corner. Trash cans tipped over. Dogs barked somewhere. My shoes squished in mud. Caleb’s hoodie was wet from the rain and sweat. My arms were tired. My legs shaking. My heart felt like it would explode.

We ducked behind a low wall. I pressed my back to it. Caleb’s head pressed into my chest. His little hands holding my shirt tight. I whispered, “Don’t worry, baby. Mommy won’t let anyone get you.”

I peeked out. No one there. Just shadows. Street quiet. But I knew she was close. Always close. Lila’s laugh ringing in my ears like ice. Cold. Wrong. Made my stomach turn.

I tried to walk slow, careful. Caleb in my arms. Every step I took, my knees almost buckled. My arms ached. My legs were like jelly. My chest hurt. But I didn’t stop.

I saw a little house with light. Porch light on. Warm. Safe maybe. I ran toward it. Caleb’s small fingers dug into my shirt. “Mommy?” he whispered. I kissed the top of his head. “I got you. Don’t worry. We’re almost safe.”

I banged on the door. Someone came out. An old man. Eyes wide. “Please,” I gasped, “help me. My son. Please.”

He nodded. Took us in. Warm inside. Chairs. Food. Blanket. Caleb sat down. Head still on my lap. I rubbed his back. He sniffled. “Mommy?” I hugged him. “I’m here. I won’t let her get you.”

I looked out the window. Shadows moving outside. Footsteps soft. Waiting. Watching. I pressed Caleb closer. My hands still held the shard of glass. Not because I wanted to hurt, but because I needed to feel ready.

“Mommy?” Caleb’s tiny voice. My chest burned. I kissed his hair. “I’m here. Don’t worry. Mommy’s right here.”

I tried to eat. My stomach too tight. I couldn’t stop thinking about Lila. She would come. She wouldn’t stop. And I wasn’t ready. Not yet.

Outside, rain started. Patched puddles. Street wet. Shadow stretched across the house. I whispered, “We can’t stay long. We have to move.”

Caleb looked up at me. Tiny eyes worried. “Go?” I nodded. “Yes, baby. We go. We stay safe.”

I packed us. Blanket. A little bag. Shoes muddy. My hoodie soaked. Caleb still in my arms. I pressed him tight. “I got you. Always.”

I peeked out. Street quiet. Too quiet. My heart thumped. Legs shaking. Arms burning. Shadows moving. I whispered, “Shh, baby. Don’t cry. We’re okay. We’re okay.”

We moved. Slow. Careful. Each step soft. Heart beating like crazy. Every corner I looked, shadows moving. Could be her. Could be soldiers. Could be anyone. I swallowed. Mouth dry. Teeth stuck together.

We stopped behind a dumpster. Caleb whispered, “Mommy?” I kissed his forehead. “I got you. Don’t worry. I won’t let her take you.”

Rain splashed on us. Cold. Wet. My hair stuck to my face. Caleb shaking. I held him tighter. My back pressed against the wall. My hands still held the shard. Ready. Not for hurting, but for fighting if she came.

Time passed. Minutes? Hours? I didn’t know. Shadows moved. Street empty. Cold wind cut my face. Caleb shivered. I rubbed his back. “We can do this. We can run. We’re strong.”

I heard something. Footsteps. Soft. Slow. Waiting. My heart jumped. Caleb grabbed my shirt. Tiny hand strong. I whispered, “I got you. I won’t let anyone get you.”

The footsteps closer. My chest tight. My hands shook. I held the shard tighter. Caleb trembling. I whispered again, “We can do this. Mommy’s here. Always.”

A figure appeared. Shadow tall. Moves slow. I pressed Caleb closer. Legs ready to run. My heart in my throat. I whispered, “Stay quiet. Don’t move. Mommy got you.”

The figure stopped. Dark. Cold. Waiting. Lila. Her laugh soft, like she was having fun. “Looking for me?” her voice. Sharp. Tiny. Made my stomach flip.

I didn’t move. Caleb squeezed my shirt. Tiny whimpers. I pressed him closer. Eyes on her. Heart pounding. Breath short. I had to fight. I had to run. But I didn’t know if I could.

Lila stepped closer. Heels soft. But loud. I almost screamed. My arms ached. My back hurt. Legs shaking. Caleb held tight. My hands clenched the shard. I whispered, “I got you. Don’t worry.”

She smiled. Tiny. Sharp. Like a knife. My chest froze. Caleb’s little body pressed to mine. I whispered, “Mommy’s here. Always. Nothing will hurt you.”

Then she lunged. Fast. My shard ready. Caleb squeaked. I screamed. Legs running. Arms holding tight. Glass shard swung. Blood streaked her face. She shrieked. Hand to cheek.

I ran. Caleb in my arms. Legs moving fast. Heart pounding. Breath burning. Shadows chasing. My shoes wet. Arms sore. I didn’t care. Only him. Only him.

We hid behind a wall. Caleb whispered, “Mommy?” I kissed his forehead. “I got you. I won’t let her take you. Ever.”

She kicked. Missed. I ran. Legs clumsy. Heart racing. Arms aching. Caleb quiet now. Safe for a moment. I didn’t look back. Only ran.

And far away. Soft. Like a ghost. Cold. I heard it again. Lila’s laugh.

I held Caleb. Tight. I whispered to the dark, “I won’t let you get him. Never.”

We moved. Fast. Shadows behind us. Rain hitting faces. Feet wet. Hearts beating. But I didn’t care. I had him. And I wouldn’t let go.

I whispered again, “Mommy’s got you. Always.” And kept running.

The rain soaked us. Cold hit my bones. I held Caleb tight and whispered, “We keep going. No stopping.”

Shadows moved behind us. My legs burned. I didn’t care.

I pressed him closer. “You’re mine. Always safe. I promise.”