"Kylan? Oh my God, Ky! Where are you? Is Tor there? Are you both alright? We're all fine, but we've... We filed so many missing people's reports, we thought we lost you both, too. It's been so long, what happened?" Her words were jumbled, and he could hear just how shocked she was, and he was sure she was crying. Three months of missing children and a deadly virus would do that to a person. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Mom...
"Yeah... It's me. Torin's right here, we're both fine. Shaken, but fine. I don't-- I don't know entirely. We were walking back home, and uh, some guys knocked us out. We're, uh, we're in Russia now. But we're safe! We got away!"
"What? Ky-- Some people knocked you out, and now you're in Russia? How are you safe in Russia? Who are you staying with, what did they want you for?"
He winced, knowing he was going to have a lot of bad issues if him or Torin let slip that it was a lie, but he'd be in just as bad of a situation if he said the truth. I can't believe I'm lying to her. "Uh, they wanted the ransom, I guess? We're staying with a guy called Kevin. We got trapped here after Corona hit, Lilith's here too, and some other's. But we're safe, we're fine. I'll call again later, I have to go. We'll be back home soon, I swear, Mom. I'm so sorry to have put you through this. Wait! Torin, come here, say hi to Mom!"
"What-- Kevin who? Lilith's there, she's back after two years? I don't..."
Kylan hurriedly shoved the phone at Torin faster than he ever had, nodding to his brother. "Hi, Momma!" The boy chirped, smiling happily. "We're alright! We're in communist Russia!"
He didn't catch what she said back, but he took the phone back away at the mention of communism. Muttering a final goodbye, he couldn't hang up quick enough.
He glanced at Torin, frowning. "Why do we have to lie to her?" The smaller boy asked, blinking up at him.
"They wouldn't believe us, and this way no one will get hurt."
