KeLani Pov
It's been almost three weeks since Mama went to that big party at the fancy house. Three whole weeks, and she hasn't left the safe house once since then. Not even to go to the store or the park. She just stays here with me, and I can tell something's wrong.
Mama tries to act normal, but I see the way she jumps when there's a noise outside. I see how she keeps checking the darkness wolves she made to guard us. Sometimes, when she thinks I'm playing with my toys, I catch her staring out the window with this faraway look, like she's seeing ghosts.
I like staying in the safe house with just Mama and me. We play all kinds of games—hide and seek in the dark (which isn't fair because Mama can see through shadows), tea parties with my stuffed animals, and she even lets me help make cookies and pancakes in the kitchen. We read books about brave princesses and watch funny movies that make her laugh. It reminds me of the old times, before the bad people started chasing us.
But it's not really the same. Before, Mama wasn't scared like this.
Every few days, she says the same thing: "Today, I'm going to see my family." She'll get dressed up, put important papers in her purse, and even do her hair all nice. But then she always changes her mind at the last minute.
"Not today, Lani," she'll say, kicking off her shoes. "The timing isn't right."
Or: "I need more information first."
Or sometimes just: "I can't do it," in a whisper she thinks I can't hear.
This morning was different, though. When I woke up, Mama was already dressed—not fancy like for the gala, but in normal clothes with a black hoodie on and a black hat. She was packing a small bag, moving quickly like she was afraid she'd change her mind again.
"Lani," she said when she saw me watching her, "Mama's going out for a little while today."
I sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes. "To see your family?"
She nodded, but her hands kept fidgeting with the zipper of her bag. "Just to see my mother first. Baby steps."
From what she way she saying i can tell she was determined the on her face she was , but I could tell this was important. "Is your mama nice?"
Mama got that sad look that sometimes comes over her face when she thinks about before. "She was very nice, once. She used to brush my hair every night before bed, even when I was too old for it. She would sing to me when I had nightmares."
"Like you do for me?"
"Yes, treasure. Just like I do for you." She came and sat beside me on the bed. "I'm not going to tell her about you yet. Not until I'm sure it's safe. But I need to see her, to understand some things."
"Will you come back soon?" I asked, trying not to sound as scared as I felt.
She pulled me into a tight hug. "I will always come back to you, Lani. Always."
After breakfast, Mama helped me get dressed and set up my favorite movies on the tablet. She made lunch early and left it in the refrigerator where I could reach it. She kept checking the darkness wolves, making them stronger, adding more of them around the house.
"Remember the rules," she said, kneeling in front of me. "Stay inside. Don't open any doors or windows. If someone tries to get in, hide in the darkness like I taught you."
"I know, Mama," I said, trying to be brave.
Before she left, Mama put on a strange mask that covered half her face and a big hat that shadowed the rest. She looked like a different person, but I could still tell it was her.
"Goodbye, my treasure," she said, kissing my forehead. "I'll be back before dinner."
I held onto her legs, not wanting to let go. "Promise you'll be careful."
She touched my cheek gently. "I promise."
Then she was gone, and the house felt too big and too quiet without her. The darkness wolves prowled around, their eyes glowing in the shadows, but they weren't Mama.
I sat by the window, watching the spot where her car had disappeared, and whispered, "Come back safe, Mama. Please come back safe."