Page 36 of Shattering

Tomos shifted slightly, glancing up at his mother, his fingers tightening around the hem of his jumper.

Marie crouched down to his level, holding up the swab between her gloved fingers.

"It's real easy. No needles, promise." She tapped the swab against her palm. "I just need to tickle the inside of your cheek for a few seconds, and then we're all done."

Tomos still looked unsure, but after another glance at Cadi, he nodded hesitantly.

Marie smiled. "Good lad. Now, can you open real big for me?"

Tomos opened his mouth slightly.

Marie chuckled. "A wee bit bigger—like a lion's roar."

Tomos huffed out a small laugh and opened wider.

"That's perfect! See? You're a pro at this already."

She gently swabbed the inside of his cheek, counting softly under her breath. "One, two, three—done."

Tomos blinked. "That's it?"

Marie grinned. "That's it. Not even as bad as brushing your teeth, right? Fist bump?"

Tomos nodded slowly, still looking slightly wary, but relieved. He gave her fist a half hearted bump.

Gray, standing stiffly to the side, finally spoke, his Irish lilt rough but softer than before.

"Told ye there was nothin' to worry about, lad."

Tomos looked up at him, his expression still uncertain, but he didn't pull away when Gray ruffled his hair lightly.

Marie straightened and turned to Gray.

"Alright, Dad, your turn."

Gray nodded, rolling his shoulders before stepping forward. His fingers clenched at his sides for a moment before he let out a breath.

"Aye, let's get this over with, then."

Cadi was the last, her jaw set, her posture stiff. She didn't look at Gray once.

Once the samples were secured, the woman packed everything neatly into a small envelope, checked the labels twice, and then looked up.

"Expect the results in three to four days," she informed them. "They'll arrive by email."

And just like that, it was done.

Gray saw Cadi tense, her fingers curling slightly like she was ready for flight.

She grabbed Tomos'small hand, ready to escape, when Gray found himself speaking without thinking.

"Can we go to the park?" His voice was rough, uneven. Then, almost as an afterthought, "And then for ice cream?"

Cadi's eyebrow arched, her fingers tightening around Tomos's. "We'll see after the test."

She didn't want to say yes.

But then, before she could pull him away, Tomos's voice rang out.

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