12 years later…

I reached my arm out across the bed…but there was nothing, no warmth, no coldness, I could feel nothing. I lay on my side with my arms wrapped around my body in an attempt to hold myself together. I closed my eyes wishing I could sleep, I couldn't even cry, my tears had dried up a long time ago. I opened my eyes, they didn't need any time to adjust to the darkened room, they were quickly drawn towards the door where I heard a low sob, in the same second I was out of bed and in the next room.

'Shhhh, its okay, mommy's here' I picked up my son, so much more carefully than a normal mother would cradle their child and carried him as I paced the room humming a lullaby that caused a sinking feeling in my chest, but as it used to for me, it drifted him quietly back into his dreams. I held him close to me as I sat in the chair and looked out the window, scanning the scene outside for any sign of movement. I knew it would not take long for danger to find us here. I wondered how close it was right now. Thankfully I was pulled from my train of thought by a low whisper in the darkness.

'Mom?'

'I'm in here honey'

'Is Jake okay?'

'Yeah he is fine, he woke up but I got him to go back to sleep, here' I reached out my hand and she came and sat in my lap, resting her head over my aching chest, the warmth from her soothed the pain.

'Are you okay?'

'Mmm, I just don't like sleeping'

'I know baby'

'Are you going to see your friend tomorrow? Do you think he will help us?'

'I don't know'

'I think he will'

'I hope so'

'I don't like this place anyway'

'Me either'

I pulled her closer to me and wrapped my arms around my children. I couldn't help but smile, my eyes fixed on her as she watched Jake sleep. I kissed her head and breathed in her scent. A burning in my throat came to the surface but was immediately extinguished by an even deeper instinct – as a mother protecting her children.

'Are you warm enough?'

'Mom' her tone of voice would have been almost amusing if it didn't remind me so much of him.

'Okay, okay. I'm so cold though, but you feel so lovely and warm' I held her delicate hands in my own.

'You're so cold to me mom, not like da…'

'I know' I whispered as I wiped away the tears that fell down her face. It was unfair that she could express such a grief that was held inside all of us and I could not, but with my curse also came my strength, my ability to protect us.