Orea readjusted herself on the stool, her voice low and worn as she concluded her narrative. "It was a hassle, but we eventually made it to the border that night. Since then… we've been safe here. For the first time, we've actually tasted freedom."
Her gaze shifted to her mum and found her frozen in place, eyes brimming with tears as she watched her daughter helplessly.
Orea's head dropped. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
Alora stood slowly and stepped closer. Gently, she helped Orea to her feet and drew her into an embrace. Orea stayed stiff for a moment before gradually softening into her mother's arms, allowing herself to be held.
"I'm so sorry you went through all of that," Alora whispered through her sobs. "I'm sorry we couldn't protect you."
"It wasn't anyone's fault," Orea murmured.
Alora sniffed. "Even after everything… you still found your way back to us. I'm so proud of you." She pressed a kiss to Orea's hair.
Orea closed her eyes, a single tear sliding down her cheek.
Alora's sobs continued as she gently patted her daughter's hair. 'My baby,' she said in a muffled tone. "I love you so much, Orea… with all my heart", she whispered.
Orea finally broke, her tears falling freely as she held onto her mother, the tension in her chest draining out slowly.
---
Valtor sat by a rock, watching the distant farmland and getting absorbed in the rhythm of the workers' movements. The sound of footsteps pulled him from his thoughts. He turned and saw Orea approaching with her gaze fixed on the ground.
He stood quickly. "How'd it go?"
When she lifted her head, her tear-streaked, smiling face caught him off guard. She didn't slow—she ran to him, took his face in her hands, and before he could react, pressed her lips to his in a sudden, heartfelt kiss.
Valtor froze for a heartbeat, then fell into sync with her before she pulled back and collapsed into his arms, wrapping him in a tight hug.
Still confused, he stayed quiet, his arms settling around her protectively as he waited for her to speak.
"I love you too," Orea said softly instead.
Valtor blinked, stunned. Then a wide smile tugged at his lips. "That's a relief," he teased.
Orea let out a small laugh, still tucked against him.
"I take it everything went well?" he asked.
"Yeah," she replied, letting out a breath. "It did".
.......…....
As soon as the duo returned to their hideout, their friends gathered around, curious.
"Did you see her?" Zara asked first.
Before Orea could reply, a phone rang. Valtor quickly pulled out the device in his pocket and pressed it to his ear, his friends watching him closely.
"Dad?" he said as soon as Malcolm's voice came through.
On Malcolm's instruction, Valtor tapped a button and set the phone on the center table.
"Dad, you're on speaker," he announced.
Malcolm exhaled. "It's good talking to you kids again," he began quietly. "What I'm about to share…I wish I could say it to your faces."
Everyone stayed still, listening.
"As from today, I'm no longer considered a member of the council.", the professor spoke.
Confused glances shot around the room.
"What does that mean?" Valtor asked slowly.
"The council voted me out," Malcolm explained. "They found out about my meeting with the Godfathers and my intentions toward them."
"How?" Valtor pressed.
Another sigh came through. "The elders are aligned with the council, he replied. They've known about the experiments for a while and gave their full support. They're the ones who exposed me."
"Are you serious?" Valtor's voice rose as he looked at the others. Lynx's head dropped, while Kymani facepalmed, shaking his head.
"How do they plan on carrying out their experiments without you, Professor?" he asked.
"I'm sure they'll find a way," Malcolm replied.
Lynx lifted his head, anger sharp in his voice. "If we can't get the elders' support, how else are we supposed to bring down those terrorists?"
Malcolm didn't respond.
Valtor exhaled before speaking up. "Dad…where are you right now?"
"I just arrived at the Supreme Regional Court," his father said. "They're putting me on trial."
"What!?" Zara shouted, the rest of the group echoing her shock before all eyes swung to Valtor.
He froze, a flood of emotions flickering across his face.