Kasky lay on the cold floor, his tiny body shaking as sad cries filled the empty room. He had woken up alone, the familiar warmth of his mother gone, leaving silence where comfort should be. His eyes searched every corner, hoping she would suddenly appear, but nothing moved.
He tried to stand, slipped, and sat back down, crying louder. Each sob sounded broken, echoing with fear and confusion. To Kasky, being alone felt like the world had ended. Hunger pinched his belly, but loneliness hurt far more.
He crawled toward the doorway, dragging his small hands, calling out with a voice too young to be strong. No answer came. The floor felt hard and endless beneath him. Tears soaked his face, and his chest rose and fell too fast.
Memories of his mother’s gentle touch flickered in his mind. He remembered her heartbeat, her smell, the way she held him close. Without her, every sound felt threatening. Even his own cries scared him.
Time passed slowly. Kasky’s cries grew hoarse, turning into weak whimpers. He curled into himself, hugging his knees, trying to feel safe. His eyes stayed fixed on the doorway, refusing to give up hope.
At last, footsteps rushed closer. A familiar voice called his name. Kasky lifted his head, disbelief flashing across his face. When his mother appeared, his cry burst out fresh and loud, filled with relief.
She scooped him up immediately, pressing him to her chest. Kasky clung tightly, shaking, afraid to be put down again. His sobs softened as her warmth returned.
In her arms, the fear faded. The floor, the silence, the loneliness disappeared. Kasky closed his eyes, exhausted, safe again. Losing his mother, even for moments, had broken his heart. Finding her healed it, reminding him that love still waited, always, there.
