Those 7 years: Missing One Shot Chapter

16

The days rolled on in an endless cycle, but I realized I couldn't let our circumstances stifle Leo's growth. He was a bright child, full of curiosity and wonder, and I refused to let the darkness of our situation dim his light. The captors may have stolen our freedom, but they would not take away our hope or our education.

With renewed determination, I began to implement a structure to our days, starting with a simple routine that revolved around learning. I gathered scraps of paper, old food wrappers, and anything I could find to create a makeshift classroom on the cold floor of our small room. Leo was still young, but I knew that early education was crucial, so I needed to take the initiative to teach him as much as I could.

"Alright, Leo," I said, settling onto the floor beside him, a sense of excitement bubbling in my chest. "Today, we're going to learn some numbers!"

His bright blue eyes lit up as he sat cross-legged in front of me, ready to soak up everything I had to offer. I started with the basics, drawing large numbers in the dirt with a stick I had found, tracing each number carefully as I explained their meanings.

"One," I said, drawing the numeral. "This is one. Can you count to one with me?"

"One!" he echoed, mimicking my voice with a grin.

"Good job! Now, let's try two!" I drew the next number and continued, watching him absorb the information like a sponge. We spent hours practicing numbers, counting everything from the few possessions we had to the number of fingers on his hands.

Once Leo grasped the concept of numbers, I transitioned to teaching him simple math. I used whatever I could find as visual aids—a handful of pebbles, scraps of paper, and even bits of dried fruit. We would sit together, and I would demonstrate how to add and subtract using the items before us.

"Okay, Leo," I said, holding up two pebbles. "If I add one more, how many do we have?"

He squinted, concentrating hard. "Three!" he shouted, bouncing with excitement.

"Exactly! You're so smart!" I cheered, my heart swelling with pride.

The more we worked together, the more I noticed his confidence blossoming. He began to understand the concepts I was teaching him, and the way he approached learning was filled with enthusiasm. I realized that I had not only taught him numbers but also nurtured a love for learning that I hoped would carry him through whatever challenges lay ahead.

After math, we moved on to reading. Using the scraps of paper I had saved, I wrote out letters, words, and simple sentences. I focused on basic vocabulary that would be useful in our lives, all while keeping it fun. I created flashcards, drawing pictures alongside words like "cat," "sun," and "water."

"Look, Leo! This is a cat," I said, holding up a card with a crude drawing. "Can you say 'cat'?"

"Cat!" he repeated, beaming with pride.

"Great job! Now let's make a sentence. Can you say, 'The cat is big'?"

"The cat is big!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands together as if he had just won a prize.

Days turned into weeks as we settled into this routine. Our time together became a mix of joy and determination, where each lesson brought new challenges but also the sweet taste of success. Leo thrived in this environment, and I could see the gears in his mind turning as he absorbed each lesson.

Despite the looming presence of our captors, I felt a sense of accomplishment knowing that I was giving my son something they couldn't take away—knowledge. I refused to allow our captors to win. They had taken so much from us, but I wouldn't let them take his future.

One afternoon, as I sat with Leo, we were deep into a reading session. I had just finished reading him a short, improvised story about a brave knight and his dragon friend. I could see the wheels turning in his mind as he pondered the tale.

"Mommy," he said, his voice filled with curiosity. "Can we make a story together?"

"Absolutely!" I replied, thrilled at the idea. "What should our story be about?"

He thought for a moment, and then his face lit up. "About a superhero who saves the world!"

"Yes! Let's do it," I said, eager to weave our imaginations together.

We crafted the story together, Leo filling in ideas with innocent wonder as I wrote them down, creating a narrative of a superhero who had the power to bring light to darkness. With each word, I could see him grow more engaged, and I realized that this wasn't just a lesson in storytelling; it was a lesson in hope.

As I watched him become more creative, I knew that I was nurturing a spirit that would survive beyond our current circumstances. Together, we were building a world of possibilities that existed in our minds, one filled with courage, love, and dreams that could not be extinguished.

Though we were trapped, our bond deepened. Each lesson, each story, became a lifeline—a reminder that even in darkness, there could be light. I knew that as long as I had Leo by my side, I would continue to fight, to teach, and to love him fiercely, preparing him for a future that was waiting just beyond our reach.

As I put him to bed he looked up at me with his bright blue eyes and said one sentence that brought me to tears.

"Mommy you're my superhero."