Page 28 of What Remains

Josie swallowed hard. God, she wished she could stay right here, just one more morning, pretending everything was fine, pretending the world beyond their windowless camp hadn’t turned rotting and infected. Instead, she forced a smile.

“So… I’ve been thinking,” she said, tucking a loose lock of hair behind Layla’s ear, “today might be a special day.”

Layla blinked up at her. “Special how?”

“Well,” Josie tried for lightness, her voice wobbling only slightly, “I thought maybe… today we could go on an adventure.”

Layla pushed herself up on her elbows, interest sparking to life. “An adventure? Like hiking?”

“Kind of.” Josie kept her tone bright, a cold weight settling in her gut. “We’re going to take a drive. A long one. Just you and me.”

“Where are we going?”

Josie hesitated—just a beat, but fear roared loud in her ears during that single second. She wanted to say somewhere safe. She wanted to say somewhere with people, a place where the world hadn’t fallen apart. Instead, she cupped Layla’s cheek in her palm.

“To visit Grandma and Grandpa,” she said, her voice meant only for Layla. “Remember how I told you Grandma and Grandpa might still be in Denver? We’re going to try to find them.”

Layla’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Really.” Josie pressed her forehead against her daughter’s. “To do that, we have to be very, very brave today. We’ll pack up our things, get in the car, and leave early while everything’s still quiet.”

Layla nodded eagerly, because children did not understand the true nature of danger. She trusted Josie completely. She believed, without question, that if Mommy said an adventure would be safe, then it must be safe.

“Mommy?” Layla asked, studying her face with sudden seriousness. “Are you scared?”

Josie froze—but only for a second.

“I’m a little scared,” she admitted. “But being scared just means we have to hold on extra tight.”

Layla reached out and wrapped her small fingers around Josie’s. “I’ll hold your hand tight, Mommy.”

Josie’s throat closed as she pulled her daughter into a fierce hug, holding her through several heartbeats. Memorizing her warmth, her smell, the tiny breaths against her neck before gently pulling away.

“Alright,” she said, wiping her eyes before Layla could catch their shine. “Let’s get dressed. Today’s our big adventure.”

Inside, her mind raced through the list: Load the car. Get the guns. Don’t let Layla see anything. Drive. Pray.

CLICK.

A muscle in Josie’s jaw jumped at the sound of the buckle.

“Okay, love bug… all secure?”

Layla wiggled her little body against the seatbelt, testing it exactly the way her mother had taught her. “Check, Mommy.”

Good. Good girl.

Josie forced a smile as she did one last check of the buckles.

“Ready for our big adventure, bug?” she asked, keeping her voice low.

Layla beamed, blissfully unaware of the fear coiling in her mother’s stomach. She held up Mr. Ranger, her battered stuffed bear, his little felt ranger hat barely hanging on.

“Mr. Ranger’s ready too,” she announced.

Josie nodded with mock gravity. “Good. We’re going to need him. He’s the bravest one here.”

Layla giggled and hugged the bear against her chest.