His Dawn

Forward

“Come on, sweet girl. Wake up, it’s time to go.”

“Mama?” the young girl questions on a yawn, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her mom quickly scoops her up while a loyal friend gathers a quick bag for her.

“That’s enough, Alice. We need to go,” her mom whispers to the other woman. “Where are the boys?”

“Right here, Auntie,” says the eleven-year-old boy as he comes into the room dragging behind a disgruntled five-year-old.

“Diego has the car ready,” Alice adds.

The two women hurry the three kids from the castle-like home. Their steps are careful and silent along the tiled floors as the make their way to the unguarded side door.

“Merda! Sofia, someone is coming,” Alice hisses, jerking to a halt.

“It’s Nic’s favorite girl,” Sofia mutters back, “I can take care of it.” She goes to set her daughter on her own feet, but the little girl whines, clinging to her mother’s shoulders.

“Sweetie, you have to let go,” she tries to soothe the girl.

“No, mama! Don’t leave me!”

“I will take her.” The older boy pries her from her mother’s chest. “Shh, it’s okay,” he coos to her. It takes only moments for Sofia to dart from their small group, and return with a nod. The five begin moving once again; light on their feet and quiet as can be.

Finally reaching the door, they slip from the dark hallways into the frigid winter air. The moon shines through gaps in the clouds, and heavy snowflakes stick to their clothes. Two beams of light cut through the haze; flashing twice to signal the huddles group. Sofia and Alice urge the boys— the older still carrier the girl— toward the large truck waiting for them. Sofia reaches inside the backseat to secure the kids.

“I got them, Auntie, I got them! We need to go,” the older boy huffs. With a hesitant nod, she leaves the younger ones in his care, and slides onto the front bench seat next to her friend.

“Get us out of here, Diego.”

“Is papa coming?” the girl asks in a small voice. Sofia turns around to look at her daughter.

“No,” she says vehemently, fire raging in her eyes, “I will never let him hurt you again.”