The Endless Darkness

When the bell rang and the gate swung open, a stream of children poured out, their voices filling the air with excitement and laughter. Her eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on her twins. The moment Andy and Emma spotted her, their faces lit up, their eyes wide with surprise and joy.

"Mommy!" "Mommy!" their voices rang out, cutting through the noise around them.

In an instant, they were running towards her, their small feet pounding against the pavement. They crashed into her, their little arms wrapping tightly around her waist. The force of their hug nearly knocked the wind out of her, but Emily welcomed it, wrapping her arms around them as if she could shield them from everything in the world. With that hug, all the tension, the disappointment, and the betrayal of the day seemed to melt away. Their love was pure, uncomplicated, and in that moment, nothing else mattered.