FOREVER and ALWAYS

Chapter 33: Invisible String

Everybody else was too stunned to speak. As the car halted just in front of the woman, Maia hastily opened the door on her side and stood there gazing at the older woman.

Her gray hair was short and the mask that she had worn was now dangling from her neck. She wore a dark green shirt and black pants and a gun in her right hand.

If it had been a different person, she might have shot at them immediately. But, the woman who stood in front of them had this deep sense of longing visible in her eyes.

When it was evident that Maia wouldn't go toward her, she took the liberty to take the first step toward them instead.

Maki and Damian who had also gotten out of the car could only gape in shock. They had little hope of finding anyone here since they fled the city. They believed that there was no way anyone could ever survive what had happened to their city. And here standing right in front of them, was someone who survived the bombing.

"Grandma"

Maia's words came out as a whisper but the older woman only smiled tenderly at her granddaughter. She crossed their distance and gave her a warm embrace. She caressed Maia's hair and left a light kiss on her cheeks.

"Oh my darling, you look wonderful. I knew you were alive"

It was then that Maia's tears burst out as she let herself weaken in her grandmother's embrace. The older woman hugged her tighter before opening another arm to welcome Maki who was also now on the verge of tears.

Maki eventually gave in and ran toward his grandmother and sister.

"Grandma you were alive"

"Oh my children"

She moved away and gazed at her grandchildren.

"Thank you for staying alive"

Sol who was like a radiant sun in the eyes of her grandchildren was now alive. Damian knew just how much Maki and Maia were close to her. She was someone who made their dull and torturous life easier. And he had to admit that she made his' easier as well.

Sol glanced at Damian and just like with Maki, she opened up her arm to welcome him.

"Damian"

Damian walked toward her and gave her a tight embrace.

"You did well too, little knight"

Damian couldn't help but chuckle. It was her pet name for him, the knight who would save the princess and prince from danger. Of course, the princess and prince are Maki and Maia.

Maia brushed up the remaining tears in her eyes and looked at her grandmother.

"Grandma, where are you hiding right now?"

Sol turned around to her granddaughter. She stared at her long enough to see that her hair had turned white and her eye color became red. She knew in an instant just what had happened to her.

She wanted to know more but they were indeed in an open area now.

"There's an underground bunker underneath this city. The remaining ones are hiding there right now. Come..."

She motioned them to follow her but Maki stopped short when he remembered about their things that were in the car.

Old man Shizu had packed them enough food and clothes for travel and enough weapons for them to defend themselves.