The airport should have felt like an ending.
But it didn’t.
Not really.
It felt like something suspended in air—like the world hadn’t decided whether to move on yet.
My family had already gone through the gate.
Mom last.
Kael waving dramatically like he was being exiled.
Dad with that final nod that somehow said more than words ever could.
And just like that…
they were gone.
The noise they left behind faded quickly.
Too quickly.
I stood there for a moment longer than necessary, staring at the empty space they had occupied.
Then I exhaled.
Slowly.
Trying to settle the feeling in my chest.
“You’re quiet.”
The voice came from behind me.
I didn’t need to turn to know who it was.
Marcus.
Of course.
I turned slowly.
What or who was he waiting for?
He was standing a few ste
