Author's note: Kai learned who his real father was when he was seven (he was really good at eavesdropping back then), but Maya wasn't aware of it. She disappeared just before he turned nine.
Ages: Maya - ?, Kai - 9
He remembered how she'd held her breath.
Standing at the window, watching the day slip into twilight, then darkness. Waiting for a monster whose name she wouldn't speak.
Refusing to let him go out after dark, even if the next day was trash pick-up and she'd forgotten.
"Who cares, I'll do it in the morning."
Never opening the door after the sun went down; telling his dad, aunt, and uncle to never stop by after dark. Being upset with aunt Kairi the one time she'd shown up anyway.
"He can't hurt you here."
"I'm not scared for myself anymore."
Always leaving one light burning at night, chasing away the darkness. Telling him it was just in case, but never in case of what.
He remembered how she'd held her breath, waiting for a monster whose name she wouldn't speak...
In case it brought his father to them.