The Children's Despair
Back at the house, the morning sun had crept through the cracks in the walls, casting soft light on Yun'er as she stirred from sleep. She reached out instinctively for her mother, but her hand met only an empty space. Her small fingers curled into the blanket as her chest tightened.
"Mama?" Her voice quivered, barely above a whisper. When no answer came, Yun'er sat up, her wide, frightened eyes scanning the small, empty room.
Little Zhi, still fast asleep, turned over as Yun'er crawled over and shook him. "Gege, wake up! Mama's gone!"
Zhi groaned and rubbed his eyes. "Huh? What are you talking about?"
"She's not here!" Yun'er cried, tears streaming down her face. "She left us! What if she never comes back?"
Zhi sat up quickly, his heart pounding. He darted to the doorway, scanning the yard and beyond. No sign of their mother. The fear in Yun'er's voice gripped his chest, and he tried to stay calm, but tears welled up in his eyes too.
"No... no, she wouldn't leave us," Zhi muttered, his voice trembling as he wrapped his arms around Yun'er. "Mama said she wouldn't go. She promised!"
"But why isn't she here?" Yun'er sobbed, burying her face in her brother's shoulder. "I want Mama! I want her now!"
Zhi clung to her, his own tears spilling over as his voice cracked. "Maybe… maybe she was lying. Maybe she doesn't want us anymore. I-I don't know what to do…"
Their cries echoed through the empty home, a heartbreaking sound of despair.