The Light That Shines From Above

Chapter 43

"I was thinking South Carolina." My mother had her map out on the kitchen table as she decided where to go next. "Somewhere on the coast. Georgetown maybe."

The map she was looking at was covered in red X's, yellow circles, and black scribbles. Places we had lives, places she deemed safe, and places she thought were too close to the last site. Some were just cities she thought were too crowded.

"That sounds nice. You've always liked living by the coast. And I think the warmer weather will do you some good," I expressed.

She bit her lip, a thought she was holding back. Her thin hand took the yellow highlighter and circled the town name.

"I will have to look at job openings there." She muttered more to herself.

I didn't comment. It had been two weeks since we arrived back and she had been doing extremely well. She had her moments of fright or uneasiness but they weren't often enough to worry me too much.

Her skin was still pale but looked much healthier. The color to her face and under her eyes returned back to normal. She didn't tire as easily and her hands weren't so cold all the time now. I knew it would take a bit more time for her body to gain back weight but those signs alone told me she was much better.

Her eyes flickered briefly to Ikzo who was sitting behind me, pretending to watch Tv. I only knew he was pretending because every time I looked over he was staring blankly at the box. He would look my way not a second later and proved on several occasions he was in my mind.

I said nothing. I think him seeming to be distracted comforted my mother. She was more open when she wouldn't catch his attention our way.

"I just wonder if it's too close. Florida is only one state away."

"They're not coming back mom." I emphasized, "Besides its been close to a decade since we've been there. I think South Carolina would be lovely."

She nodded. Her expression told me she wasn't fully convinced but it was sinking in. I wish this time was enough for her to see she was safe. I knew that wasn't plausible or fair.

"I only worry," She hesitated on finishing the sentence, her eyes casted down to the map, "He was so determined to find you. To have both of us."

"Who?" I asked. There was several people determined to find me.

"The surgeon." She whispered.

I shifted in my seat, "He's being taken care of mom. You don't have to worry about him anymore. He can't reach us."

I heard Ikzo shift from behind me too and I wanted to look. I didn't. My mother did and by the quick observation he must not have moved too much.

"What does that mean? Taken care of." She questioned.

I wavered on what to say. Even I didn't know exactly what Ikzo planned to do with him but I knew he would die in the end.

"It means he's going to die." I leaned forward to rest my elbows on the table with my hands clasped together, "So you won't have to be afraid of him anymore."

With my first statement her eyes flashed to Ikzo again. I kept my eyes on her face so they met mine again when she looked back to me.

"Is he going to...?" She asked under her breath as she gestured towards Ikzo.

"Yes." I replied. There was no point in hiding it.

She examined my expression for a second. I tried to relax my face. I'm sure I looked very unhappy with the conversation. It wasn't because of what Ikzo was going to do or because she asked.