I found it hard to get to sleep that night. There were way to many things running through my mind. Xynthia seemed sure that we would stay together no matter what, but everyone knows that people from the same area are always sent to different training facilities. The little ones look up to me and her as role models, but I don't think they are aware the odds we will ever get to see each other again is abysmally low. In the thirteen years we have been here since we found outside, all of the older ones who we grew close to and left, we have never seen again, let alone hear anything from them. This is why I tried ,my best to remain a bit distant from the little ones, to avoid that pain for them, but Xynthia made that impossible. Every new kid that showed up she would greet with a warm smile and a hug, letting them know they have a safe family here, and of course as her brother, I was right next to her.
I will admit it was hard not to get attached to them, being an older brother was a nice feeling, they made it like we all were one big family. Even when I was being distant I kept an eye on them though and that made me smile. Watching them grow and be happy, and protecting them when they needed it. Leaving them is going to be hard, probably especially hard for Xynthia, but she will smile like everything is okay.
Since I couldn't get to sleep I decided to take a bit of a walk, something normal for me at night. Before I left my room, Xynthia looked like she was sleeping so peacefully, so I just smiled and left. Making sure to be quiet going down the stairs as to not wake the little ones my mother was sitting by the fire place.
"I figured you'd go for one last walk," she said without turning around.
"You're still awake?" I said as I walked over to her. "You and dad have always been asleep when I went for my walks."
"Think that if you want, but we always knew when you left. To be honest we thought you may be running off the first few times. But we soon realized you just had something about you that wouldn't let you stay still. You've always had that passion to explore," she said, still refusing to look at me.
"So why are you out here this time and never any time before?" I asked as I sat next to her.
"Because after this, you're gone. Me and your father went through all of this before when we were younger, once a whole new world is opened to you, you want to see it, not go back to the small home you once knew. Maybe you'll start your own family one day, or you'll pave a new path for all of us. But coming back, that's not something anybody does," she said finally turning to me. "That's why we all decided to make something for you."
"We all?" I asked. But before I even finished asking I knew what she meant. Her and the little ones had made gifts for me and Xynthia.
"Your family of course. But you'll have to wait till the morning. The kids all are excited to give them to you. Now go enjoy your walk, but make sure to get some rest before the morning."
And with that she got up and went to bed. I sat there for a while, not sure what to think. After a while I got up and went back upstairs, I couldn't bring myself to go for a walk anymore. In my room Xynthia was still asleep, but the room felt like it was smaller and sadder, maybe cause it's the last time I'll be in there.
I woke up to a pillow hitting me in the face. Upon sitting up Xynthia was standing there smugly with her back on her back.
"Were you ever planning on getting up?"
"Eventually. Not like we have to be in a rush."
"For once I'd like us to be a little early somewhere, now get ready and come downstairs."
Being left alone in our room felt weird. Though I normally woke up to her being gone already, for once I would've liked to leave the room at the same time. But she was right in a way. I had to at least see the little ones.
After getting changed, I grabbed my bag and made my way downstairs. Taking one last look at my room that was now empty, I couldn't help but feel sad we couldn't stay longer.
Upon getting downstairs all the little ones were standing around our kitchen table, and on it were two boxes, one was already opened. When they saw me they got super happy and ran over to me to hug me. Shocking them, I crouched down to hug them all back at once. Hugging six children at once is not easy.
"Caesar since you're leaving, we wanted to give you something to help you feel safe like you always did for us," the oldest of them, Marius said.
"We hope you like it," the youngest, Fergus said, handing me the box.
With all of them waiting for me to open it I felt a bit nervous, but I couldn't betray their hope. When I opened it I smiled, they knew me well.
When me and Xynthia were found and taken in, I had a black cloak way to large for me on my shoulders. At that point it was already ripped a bit, but over the years it had become much more tattered and barely worked as a cloak anymore. At some point I gave up on wearing it and left it near the trash, but I guess they didn't.
"You guys are amazing. Thank you so much," I said tearing up a bit.
"I'm glad you like it," my father said, "it wasn't easy putting it back together, but they refused to give up."
I was speechless, but so happy. I immediately put it on and it fit perfectly, either I grew into it, or they measured me.
"You ready to go?" Xynthia asked.
"You're rushing us out?"
"Well you slept so long we don't have a choice sadly. Now come on, we will see them again, I'll make sure of it." Somehow she can always say these things with such a large smile on her face.
After some long heartfelt goodbyes we closed the door behind us, for quite possibly the last time.