Chapter 9: Comfort, Warnings and Shadows.

Comfort, Warnings, and Shadows

As the children sobbed into her chest, Yiling's heart ached. "I'm here now. Mama's here. Don't cry anymore," she murmured soothingly, running a hand through Yun'er's hair and rubbing Zhi's back.

"We thought you left us!" Yun'er wailed, her tiny fingers clutching tightly at Yiling's clothes.

"I would never," Yiling said, her tone firm. "But you must listen carefully now." She gently set them down and crouched, her voice taking on a serious edge.

"Something was in the yard earlier," she said softly, pointing toward the tracks in the dirt near the edge of the forest. Zhi followed her gaze and swallowed nervously.

"What was it, Mama?" he asked.

"A wild boar. I scared it off, but it might come back," Yiling said. "That's why you must promise me you'll stay inside if I ever leave again. No wandering, no looking for me, no matter what."

The children nodded quickly, their fear renewed but focused.

"Good. Now let's go inside and get warm," she said.