Finally, their voices faded, replaced by the rustling leaves and sighing winds. Ensuring they were truly gone, I sat up slowly, wincing at the sharp protests from my battered body.

Leo clung to me, his big eyes wide and scared. “Mom, are they gone?”

“Yes, sweetheart. I think they are.”

We had no choice but to move. I had to push through the pain for Leo’s sake. I rose shakily, every instinct telling me to climb back up and confront them. But I needed to protect my son first, get him to safety.

Supporting each other, we made our painstaking descent down the remaining slope. Each step was agony, but Leo’s small hand in mine fueled my determination. We stumbled onto a small, overgrown trail, following it until we heard the distant hum of a road.