As she kept Apollo hidden in their makeshift refuge, her thoughts were a mix of anxiety and determination. She had set these boundaries for a reason—to safeguard the one person who meant more to her than anything else in the world. Her experiences had shown her the importance of drawing these lines to ensure that Apollo could grow up in a world where he was safe from the dangers she had once faced.
Meriam's protective instincts were driven by love and a profound sense of duty. Her boundaries were not walls built out of hatred or mistrust but rather fortifications constructed from the wisdom and strength gained through her past struggles. She stood resolute, prepared to defend her son and their sanctuary with the same fierce dedication that had carried her through her darkest times.
As the shadows lengthened and the sun dipped below the horizon, the encroaching darkness seemed to deepen Meriam's sense of unease. Inside their modest hut, she had taken swift and careful action to ensure Apollo's safety. She had prepared a hidden underground compartment, a small but secure space concealed beneath a loose section of floorboards. The entrance was cleverly camouflaged and just large enough for Apollo to hide comfortably if the need arose.
With Apollo safely hidden in the underground space, Meriam had settled into a tense waiting game. The sounds of the forest, once so familiar and comforting, now felt ominous and uncertain. Every crackling branch or rustling leaf outside the hut seemed amplified, each sound a potential harbinger of danger.
The men in the forest had not yet appeared, and the growing darkness provided no additional clues to their whereabouts. Meriam's mind raced with scenarios, her protective instincts on high alert. She couldn't afford to let her guard down, but the silence of the evening, though unsettling, suggested that the immediate threat might have passed.
As the last traces of daylight vanished, Meriam's sense of vigilance gradually gave way to the practical needs of the evening. The time had come to return to normalcy, at least for the moment. She approached the hidden compartment and gently called to Apollo.
"Apollo, it's getting dark," she said softly, trying to keep her voice calm and reassuring. "You can come out now."
Apollo emerged from the underground space, his face a mixture of curiosity and relief. He had remained quiet and still while hidden, but the promise of returning to their evening routine brought a welcome sense of normalcy.
"Can I help with dinner, Mother?" Apollo asked, his voice filled with eagerness.
Meriam smiled at him, grateful for his presence and the break from her mounting tension. "Yes, my love," she replied. "Let's get things ready. We need to make sure we have something warm to eat before we settle in for the night."
Together, they moved through the familiar motions of preparing their evening meal. The process of chopping vegetables, stirring the pot, and setting the table provided a comforting rhythm that helped ease the day's anxieties. The cozy light of their lantern cast a soft glow over the room, pushing back the encroaching darkness and creating a safe haven within their humble home.
As they worked side by side, Meriam's thoughts remained cautious but hopeful. The threat outside might have been elusive, but the peace within their hut was a small, precious respite. In this moment, surrounded by the warmth of their shared meal and the comfort of their home, Meriam could find a brief reprieve from the fears that had gripped her. She cherished the simple, everyday moments with Apollo, knowing that these were the true treasures amidst the uncertainties of their world.
As they settled into the comforting routine of preparing dinner, Apollo's curiosity once again stirred. His young mind, full of wonder and questions, sought to understand the world around him, even if it meant probing into the boundaries his mother had set.
"Mother," Apollo asked, his voice breaking the gentle hum of their domestic tasks, "why can't I meet any other people like us?"
Meriam paused for a moment, her hands stilling in their work. She looked at Apollo, her heart heavy with the weight of the truth she had to impart. This was not the first time he had asked such a question, and each time it required a careful, measured response.
"No, son," Meriam began, her tone firm yet gentle, "I've told you many times before. We don't know their hearts or their true intentions. We can't be sure if they are kind or if they mean us harm. That's why I want you to stay away from them, never to come near them."
Apollo, though young, understood the seriousness in his mother's voice. He nodded quietly, accepting the boundaries she had set for his safety. "Yes, Mother," he replied, his voice soft and compliant.
Meriam's heart ached at the thought of her son's limited world, constrained by the fears and experiences that had shaped her. She knew it was a harsh reality for a child to accept, but her love for Apollo compelled her to protect him with an unwavering resolve. She sighed softly, knowing that her son's safety was worth the sacrifices they had to make.
As they resumed their preparations, Meriam kept a watchful eye on Apollo, her protective instincts ever alert. The world outside their safe haven was fraught with uncertainties, and while she wished for a life where her son could freely explore and meet others, she could not afford to be careless.
In the warm, flickering light of their lantern, the evening carried on with the comforting routine of their small household. Meriam's thoughts lingered on the boundaries she had set and the reasons behind them. She hoped that, one day, Apollo might understand the full scope of her fears and the sacrifices she had made for his safety. Until then, she would continue to guard him with the same love and vigilance that had seen them through so many trials.
After their dinner, Meriam told Apollo to read a book, it was the book Aaron gave her. The one he wrote but he didn't tell him about Aaron. Then past darkness, Meriam told Apollo to sleep. Apollo asked, "what about you mother?" Meriam responded, "I just wanna watch you while sleeping." But truly Meriam wanted to guard him from those possible attack from bad people.