Chereads / GATEWAY TO FREEDOM / Chapter 21 - Goodbyes

Chapter 21 - Goodbyes

Dimitri's POV

I woke up very early the next morning, the first thing I did was look out the window and I saw that everywhere was still dark, it should probably be about 4am.

I lay still on the bad for a moment lost in thought about the coming journey and how things are going to turn out for us,

I really hope everything goes well, no matter how brave I'd acted on the outside, deep down I was scared that this journey would be different, splashes of fear kept washing over me each time i thought of the possibility of never seeing sophie again.

after a few minutes of thoughts I finally threw off the bed covers and proceeded to start preparing for the journey. The floorboards creaked softly beneath my feet as i tiptoed to avoid waking Sophie up.

I quickly and quietly dressed in the darkness, my hands moved swiftly fastening my buttons and lacing my boots.

I finally finished dressing and I felt grateful that I packed up my stuff the night before.

I slowly moved to the bed and gazed down at Sophie sleeping , her small chest rising and falling with each soft breath. I smiled, and felt my heart swelling with love and a hint of sadness. I knew i had to leave, but it was hard to tear myself away from her.

With a quiet sigh, i carefully gathered up both our bags and slung them over my back. Then, i gently lifted Sophie into my arms, cradling her against my chest. She stirred slightly in her sleep, her eyes fluttered open, but she didn't wake up.

I held my breath, my heart pounded in my chest, and I stood completely still in the bedroom and waited for her to settle back into sleep. When she did, i let out a soft sigh of relief.

I moved to the door, my eyes took one last look around the small room that had been our home for so long. Memories flooded my mind, moments of laughter and tears, of joy and sorrow. I sighed, my heart felt heavy with the weight of the task that awaited me.

Then quietly, i locked the door behind me and stepped out into the darkness.

The streets were empty and silent, the only sound that could be heard was the soft crunch of gravel beneath my feet. The sky was a deep shade of indigo, and the stars twinkled in the darkness.

I tried my best to walk as fast as I could, but it's almost impossible to do that when you have a child in your arms and two heavy backpack's strapped behind your back, my heart kept pounding as I walked, i knew that Maria's house was only a few streets away, but the darkness made it seem like I was walking through an endless tunnel.

After walking endlessly for over 20minuites, I finally saw Maria's house in the distance. It was a small, cozy cottage with a garden full of flowers. I felt so grateful for Maria, she had always been like a mother to me and Sophie.

I approached the house quietly, I saw through the windows that the lights in the house were on Which meant she probably left the door unlocked for me,

I didn't want to wake Maria or her husband, John. So i gently opened the door and slipped inside.

Maria was already up, sitted by the fire with a cup of tea in her hand. She looked up and smiled her ever warming smile as she spotted me entering.

"Good morning, dear," she said softly. "I was expecting you. Come, sit down, and have some tea before you go."

"Here, give Sophie to me and drop the bags on the chairs," she said and took Sophie from my hands and left the living room, she was probably going to lay her down in the bedroom.

I sat down and grabbed a cup of tea.

As it went down my throat, the relief it gave me was second to none.

Maria came back few minutes later with a sac bag in her hand.

"Here, she began"

."I've packed some food and water for you," she said with a low and gentle voice. "It's not much, but it should help you on your journey."

I nodded. "Thank you, Maria. I won't forget this."

Maria smiled and placed a hand on my arm. "You're welcome my son."

I stood up, looking at maria. "I have to go," I said, with firm voice.

"Please take good care of Sophie, I promise she won't be too much trouble." I said with a smile

Maria nodded, her eyes were filled with tears. "I'll be here, And I'll be praying for you and don't worry about Sophie, she's going to be just fine."

With a final nod, i grabbed my bag and walked out into the darkness.