Page 34 of Ringo's Silence

Chapter 9

Kimmie

Pacing around the living room of the cabin, my heart is heavy. With everything that has happened the past few weeks, and now, with Remmy getting more attached to his new friends, the thought of uprooting him again fills me with dread.

But there’s too many unknowns, too many dangers still lurking around in the shadows. I just can’t risk staying here any longer.

I glance over at Remmy, who is sitting on the couch, playing his video game. Completely oblivious to the storm brewing inside of me.

“Remmy,” I call softly, trying to keep my voice steady. “We need to go to the next town over.”

He looks up, his smile fading when he looks fully at me. “What’s wrong, Mom? And don’t lie! Just because I’m a kid doesn’t mean I can’t understand.”

His words cut through me like a knife because I know that he’s right and there’s no reason for me to start lying to him now just to get him out the door.

“I know you’ve been having a lot of fun here, but... we need to leave. It’s not safe for us to stay any longer.”

His eyes widening in disbelief. “Leave? But why? I don’t want to leave! I like it here!”

I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “I know, sweetie. But sometimes, we have to do things we don’t want to do to keep ourselves safe. There are some things happening that I can’t explain right now, but I need you to trust me.” I say, reaching for his hands.

He pulls jerks his hands away from me, his face scrunching up in anger as he gets to his feet. “No! I don’t want to go! I want to stay here with my friends!”

I reach out to him, but he pushes me away, tears welling up in his eyes. “You’re always making me leave! I never get to stay anywhere! It’s not fair!”

Before I can respond, Remmy bolts for the door. “Remmy, wait!” I call out to him but he’s already out the door, slamming it behind him.

I stand frozen for a moment, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew how much this move was going to affect him, but I hadn’t expected such an intense reaction. I quickly hurry outside, hoping to find him sulking on the porch or near his favorite tree.

But when I step outside, the yard is empty. The evening air feeling cool, and the sky had already taken on the soft hues of twilight. “Remmy?” I call out, my voice trembling. “Remmy, where are you?”

I walk around the side of the cabin, checking the usual spots where he might hide. But there’s no sign of him. Panic begins to set in as I search the yard quickly, calling his name over and over, my voice growing more frantic with each passing second.

“Remmy!” I cry out one last time, my heart racing as I run toward the edge of the woods that surrounds the cabin. I scan the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of his figure among the trees. But the only sound I can hear is the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.

Tears well up in my eyes as the reality of him not being here sets into my bones. Remmy is gone. I can’t find him anywhere. My hands tremble as I pull out my phone, frantically dialing Ringo’s number.

“Ringo, it’s Kimmie,” I sob as soon as he answers. “Rem... Remmy is gone! I can’t find him anywhere!”

“Kimmie, slow down,” he says, his voice steady but filled with concern. “What do you mean he’s gone?”

“He got upset and ran outside,” I explain through the tears. “I thought he’d just be in the yard, but he’s not here! I’ve looked everywhere, and he’s just... he’s gone!”

Ringo’s voice hardens with determination. “Stay calm, Baby. I’m on my way. Get back inside the cabin and lock the doors! We’ll find him.”

I nod, though he can’t see me. “Please, hurry, Ringo. I’m so scared.”

“I’m coming,” He reassures me. “We’ll find him, I promise.” He says as I quickly make my way back to the cabin, walking inside and locking the doors.

Ringo

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