Saving Ant and Sarha

Goodbye, Everybody

The day came for Ant and Sarha to leave. Sarha had woken up early, while it was still dark outside. She had a feeling of dread. She glanced at the clock before quietly slipping out of bed and tiptoeing downstairs.

She took her time studying everything she passed, every picture, decoration, smell. She never wanted to forget this house. She was walking into the kitchen when she felt an arm wrap around her waist, yanking her back. She screamed, but it was covered by a hand clamped over her mouth. She twisted around and sighed in relief as well as annoyance when she realized it was just Ant.

"Ant!" she hissed. "Are you trying  to give me a heart attack?!"

"Sorry." he replied, although he didn't look like he meant it. "What are you doing down here?"

"What am I doing down here?" she sputtered. "What are you doing down here?"

"I couldn't sleep." he shrugged.

"Me neither." she admitted. Ant walked towards the staircase.

"Let's go up to your room." he whispered and didn't wait for Sarha's answer before disappearing up the stairs. Once in her room, they crawled into the bed.

"Are you scared to move?" asked Ant. "Because I am."

"You're supposed to be making me feel better about this." Ant shrugged.

"You know, this isn't exactly a good day for me either."

"I know," she sighed, "I'm sorry." Ant pulled the covers back over them and closed his eyes.

"Go to sleep, Sarha." he instructed her, and in a matter of seconds she did.

********

This was it, the moment that Anne  had been dreading ever since that pudgy attorney had entered her house. Ant and Sarha being taken away from her.

She was in the living room, pacing back and forth. Everyone else was upstairs getting dressed and ready for the day. She had already done her that. Now, there was nothing left to do but wait for the car that would come to pick up the children she had come to consider as her son and daughter.

Anne heard footsteps behind her and turned around to see Sarha.

"Sarha!" she said, wiping away whatever tears were in her eyes. "Are you all ready?" Sarha walked up to her and took her hand.

"I don't want to leave you." she said. "You were the best mother I've ever had." Anne sat down on the couch and pulled Sarha into her lap.

"I know, honey." she said quietly. "I don't want you to leave me either, but there's nothing we can do." Sarha buried her face in the crook of Anne's neck and allowed a few tears to fall.

"No matter what," she declared, "No matter where I live, you'll always be my mother." She looked up into Anne's eyes. "Right?" Anne laughed a tearful laugh and squeezed Sarha.

"Right." Just then, Alph came down the stairs with Ant and Sarha's bags. Ant was right behind him. As soon as Ant saw Anne he ran and gave her a hug. They had the perfect timing for just then, the car that would be taking them away pulled up to the house. Anne stood up and both she and the kids walked to the front door. She helped them into their jackets.

Just then Dec came down the stairs, his eyes still wet from the goodbyes him and Ant had said earlier. He pulled Ant and Sarha into a group hug.

"I guess this is it." said Sarha. "I'm gonna miss you a lot."