Chapter 57 Brave

(Thomas)

Lydia had been sobbing into my chest for the past hour. I did not stop her. I wanted to help her process her grief, her fear, and her pain in that moment. I could understand how she felt: helpless, terrified, and weak.

To be honest, I could feel the same things, too.

Outside, Mother was making calls to many of our associates: business partners with political allies, government officials, police officers, and even a member of the intelligence. She was going to pull every last string until the children were safely back home.

I wanted to go out there and make the calls in her stead, maybe even go to the houses of the people who I knew could help. But, right now, I needed to be here for Lydia.

She had fallen asleep crying and I had gently shifted her, trying to grab a cushion on my side and rest her head on it. But she had stirred when I had moved. So I had slowly shifted her head into my lap and put my feet up so that she could rest comfortably.

I could feel the gentle rise and