Chapter four

Kyrian

"I think they might be after you," Mr. Ken said, his voice low and grave. "We can't stay at my house tonight. It's too dangerous."

"But where will we go?" I asked, a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. "And how can you be sure they're after me?"

Mr. Ken shook his head. "I don't know for sure, but I can't take any chances. I'll take you somewhere safe, I promise."

My heart was racing, and I felt a knot of fear in my chest. "What if they find us?" I asked

“They won't find us, c'mon let's go”

As we sped through the streets, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. Mr Ken was gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. He seemed to be driving erratically, making sharp turns and swerving in and out of traffic. I couldn't help but wonder if he was just a bad driver, or if something else was going on.

I tried to calm myself down, but the more we drove, the more anxious I became. After what felt like hours, we pulled up in front of a small house in a rundown neighbourhood. As Mr. Ken got out of the car, he pulled a key out of his pocket and headed toward the door. The house looked like it had seen better days - the paint was peeling and the lawn was overgrown. But inside, it was a different story. The living room was sparsely furnished, but it was tidy. There was a couch, a coffee table, and a small TV. On the wall, there was a framed photo of a woman and a young child.

Mr Ken motioned for me to sit down on the couch, and then he disappeared into another room. Soon, the lady from earlier came out wearing a nice smile. I wondered what she had discussed with Mr. Ken.

"You can stay here as long as you need to," she said, a smile spreading across her face. She had a kind, open face, with warm, brown eyes and curly black hair. I felt myself relax a little, as the tension left Mr. Ken's shoulders.

"Come on, let's get you something to eat," she said, leading us into the kitchen. She set some bowls and spoons on the table and then started rummaging through the cabinets. "I've got cereal if that's okay," she said, glancing over her shoulder at us. Mr. Ken nodded, and The woman opened a box of cereal and poured some into two bowls. She handed one to Mr. Ken and one to me, along with a carton of milk. "I don't have any spoons," she said apologetically. Mr. Ken and I looked at each other and shrugged, and then started eating with our fingers.

The woman smiled, amused by our antics.

“Have you been active? The internet, I have been hearing some terrible news...”

“Where am I going to sleep?”. Mr Ken said sadly while interrupting her, I knew he didn't want to hear any more sad news relating to the director. The lady got surprised at the recent behaviour and gently pointed towards a closed door.

“Come on Kyrian”. He whispered while walking towards the door.

“Don't worry, let me help you out”. The lady whispered while carrying me.

“You are running temperature”. She let out.

“I can treat him”. She whispered as but Mr. Ken ignored her, "Please, just let me take care of him," Jessica said, but Mr. Ken refused to meet her eyes. "I'm a trained nurse, I know what I'm doing." But he ignored her, and kept walking toward the door. She watched him leave, frustration etched on her face.

"I don't care what you think of me," she said to the empty room. "But he needs help, and I'm going to give it to him." She turned and walked out of the room, determined to help Kyrian, no matter what.

I could feel my body getting hotter and hotter, and my head started to spin, and my vision blurred. I felt dizzy and disoriented like the world was spinning around me. My breathing became shallow, and I started to feel weak.

I heard a voice calling my name, but it sounded far away. I couldn't make out the words. Then I felt myself being lifted and carried somewhere. I closed my eyes, and let the darkness take me.

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a bed. The room was dark, but there was a light coming from somewhere. I felt a cool cloth on my forehead, and I realized that Mr. Ken was dressing to leave.

"I'll be back tomorrow, I promise," Mr. Ken said, his voice cracking. "I need to go, but I'll be back as soon as I can."

"It's okay, Mr. Ken," Aunty Lucy said, her voice soothing and reassuring. "Kyrian is in good hands."

Mr. Ken gave me one last hug, and then he turned to go. I felt a sense of panic rising inside me, but Aunty Lucy's gentle voice calmed me down. She sat on the bed next to me and began to tell me a story. I closed my eyes and listened

I could feel how worried she was. She started to fuss over me, checking my temperature and giving me water to drink. I felt tired, and I closed my eyes. "It's okay, little one," she said, her voice soothing. "You're going to be okay."

The next thing I knew, I was waking up from a deep sleep. Aunty Lucy was still there, sitting in a chair next to the bed. "How are you feeling?" she asked.

“I'm fine thank you”. I replied with a smile while feeling so much grateful for her presence.

I kept looking at the lady who was already in her nighties.

“Are you hungry?!”. She said tiredly while cleaning her eyes.

“Are you crying?”. I replied but she smiled with pretense and jacked me up.

“You do know you are running temperature right?! Come here let me give you some cool treatment. Will you eat noodles?”. She asked while giving me a warm peck on my cheek.

“My daddy bought food, it's in the room”. I muttered shyly.

“Tell me, is Mr. Ken your Daddy?”. She asked but I ignored her.

“Oww! Sorry, that was a silly question, my bad”. She let out.

Guess I like her, maybe she isn't such a bad person that was what my heart started to process.

“What's your name?”. She whispered after damping my body.

“Kyrian”. I said in my tiny weak voice.

“Wow! Sounds like Ken, you have a lovely name”. She said sweetly

“Thank you, were you crying because of my daddy? Do you love him?”. I muttered but she looked at me shocked.

“You know you are too young right?! This isn't a matter to discuss with you, if I have anything to do with your Dad then I should discuss that with him, don't you think so?”. She said but I kept mute. I could tell that my question had made her uncomfortable, and I felt a little guilty. I tried to think of something to say to make her feel better, but I was too tired to think of anything. I just looked up at her with wide, innocent eyes. She looked down at me and smiled, her expression softening.

"You're a very sweet boy," she said softly. "And I'm glad I get to take care of you."

I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. I was glad that she was being so nice to me, even though I had asked her an awkward question. I smiled

Aunty Lucy smiled at me as she saw my eyes getting glassy, and she knew that I was fighting hard to stay awake. "Just sleep, darling," she whispered. "You're safe here."

I tried to nod, but my head felt too heavy. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, comforted by the knowledge that Aunty Lucy was there to take care of me. As I slept, I dreamed of my mother, her soft voice and warm touch. It felt like she was right there with me, holding me close.

When I woke up, I saw Aunty Lucy sitting next to me.