Three more days passed. We were getting closer to the center.
As we did, I realized something, the closer we got, the more aggressive people became.
It was getting harder and harder to find any food almost everything was snatched up immediately by others. And those people... just by getting near them, they looked at us with hatred.
It was like their eyes were warning us: "If you come closer, I'll kill you."
Even Angus, who used to preach the word of the Lord every time he saw a group of people, had stopped doing it.
We just kept moving, as fast as Mia's pace would allow.
Sometimes I thought about carrying her to move quicker...
But...
Even though she looked so small and thin, she was still too heavy for me. I could only hold her for a few minutes.
Angus carried her from time to time, but it only took an hour before he was completely exhausted.
And with how little we were eating, we got tired even faster.
That feeling came back again...
The emptiness in my stomach.
It didn't matter what I did... it wouldn't go away.
Only when I slept could I escape the growling, the pain.
But...
It was getting harder and harder to fall asleep.
And it wasn't just me.
Angus and Mia were suffering too.
Mia wasn't the little girl she had been three years ago. Her body needed more food, more energy.
So did Angus and I.
That's why we walked slower every day.
Took fewer steps.
But we couldn't stop.
We had to keep going.
The center was so close.
we will make it
------------------------------------------------
Night came.
I was lying on the ground, surrounded by a pile of rubble that served as our walls.
Mia was asleep beside me. A bit further away, Angus lay resting in a corner.
I looked up.
They seemed to be asleep.
Looks like they managed to fall asleep. I'm glad for them.
Me...
I couldn't. No matter how hard I tried.
I just lay there on the ground, clutching my stomach.
Just like three years ago...
But now I had something else.
I got up as quietly as I could so I wouldn't wake anyone.
I climbed up the rubble, until I could see the moon.
It was beautiful.
Along with the stars, it gave off a little light.
From under my shirt, I pulled out a thick book.
I'm glad my parents taught me how to read when I was little.
I don't remember much from when we lived in the center. I barely remember my mom's face.
But I do remember that whenever they had time, she and Dad would teach me to read and count.
Dad... maybe he's not in Heaven.
But... what about Mom?
I wonder if Mom is up there.
Mom... Dad... I miss you both so much.
I felt my eyes start to sting, and my nose began to run.
No! Don't cry!
When I become an apostle and ascend to Heaven... I'll see you again.
I patted my cheeks and opened the book.
Under the light of the moon and stars, I began to read.
Whenever I couldn't sleep, I read.
Somehow, after a while, my body would feel peace.
And then, I could finally fall asleep.
Could it be the Lord's doing?
I looked up at the sky.
Maybe the Lord is watching me right now.
"Am I doing okay?" I asked softly.
No one answered.
Angus says only the great apostles can hear God.
That means I still have a long way to go...
But that's fine.
I'll do whatever it takes so that Mom, Dad, Angus, Mia... and the Lord can all be proud of me.
I lowered my head and looked back at the book.
I started reading with more energy.
God's teachings.
Live with humility.
Seek justice and defend the weak.
Repent from sin.
Love everyone as you love yourself.
Love God above all things, because He loves us too.
And all suffering is a test. If we overcome it, we get closer to Him.
There are many things I still don't fully understand. Even when I ask Angus, some of them still confuse me.
But I have time. I know I'll understand them eventually.
And when that happens... maybe, just maybe, I'll finally be able to hear Him.
There's...
One teaching that, from the first time I read it, made me feel something I can't explain.
Like the words were written just for me.
"To be a light in the world."
Those words haven't left my mind for weeks.
But I still feel like I don't fully understand them.
I shook my head and kept reading, paying attention to every word, trying to understand.
That's how I stayed.
I don't know for how long.
But eventually, my body let itself sleep.
---
A new day.
We were walking slowly.
But something was wrong...
Angus and I noticed it right away.
Mia was walking much slower than usual.
"Are you okay, little Mia?" Angus asked, worry in his voice.
"Yes, Mister Angus... I'm okay," she answered weakly.
Angus and I looked at each other.
For now, we decided to keep walking.
So we did, for another hour...
Until I heard a noise beside me.
"Mia!"
Suddenly, Mia collapsed to the ground.
Angus and I rushed to check on her.
She had fainted. Her breathing was shallow.
It had to be the lack of food.
"Angus... how long would it take us to get to the center?" I asked, panic gripping me.
"Little Aiden... it would take us at least two more days," he said, lowering his gaze.
No...
There was no way Mia could last two more days.
She needed food now.
Angus and I both knew it.
But how?
Mia couldn't walk.
And we were both weak too. We couldn't carry her and search for food at the same time we'd wear ourselves out too quickly.
"Let's go to that mound over there," Angus said, pointing to a pile of rubble similar to the one we had slept on the night before.
"It's a bit taller than last night's. If we leave her at the bottom, no one will be able to see her from far away."
"Little Aiden... let's leave her here for now, while we search for food. It's unlikely anyone will come all the way out here during the day."
He was right.
Mia should be safe there until we get back.
We left her... and went off to look for food.
Mia, hold on just a little longer.
I promise I'll save you.