novelraw Chapter 79.5 : Smiles behind Shadows
Chapter 79.5 : Smiles behind Shadows
Selene’s POV
We made it back to the edge of our land just as dawn was breaking. The first rays of light kissed the tree’s leaves, its bluish-green glow a symbol of hope.
But my hands still trembled. My ears still rang with that voice.
“Tell her… Mara still here.”
I looked at Darius. His chest rose and fell raggedly, his ribs bound with makeshift wrappings. Even broken and battered, he stood tall, his face wearing that same stubborn calm.
“Selene,” he muttered, low enough only I could hear, “not a word of this to the children.”
I nodded. There was no hesitation.
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When we stepped inside the house, Lyra was already there with Riaz on her hip. Her sharp eyes immediately swept over us — she noticed the dirt, the sweat, the faint blood on Darius’ collar.
But before she could speak, I forced a smile.
“Sorry for being late.”
Rooga came toddling out, rubbing his eyes. “Mama? Papa?” His voice was groggy, innocent. Too pure for the horrors we had just seen.
Darius crouched with a wince, but he smiled at his son. “Nothing to worry about. Just… went out for a walk.”
Lyra’s gaze lingered, suspicious, but she didn’t pry.
We sat for breakfast. Riaz babbled happily in Lyra’s arms, and Rooga tried to sneak bread under the table to Maori, who sat cross-legged in her chibi form, munching happily like nothing in the world could trouble her.
The children laughed. The house was warm.
But inside, I kept hearing the sound of bones snapping.
The stitched sunflower face looming.
The name Mara.
I smiled anyway. A smile for them. A lie for myself.
Across the table, Darius caught my eyes. He smiled too — the same lie reflected back.
We both knew.
The corrupted land was not something to fight. It was something that could swallow us whole.
And sooner or later, it would come for our family.