The morning sun rose over Portside, but Ethan felt no warmth from it.
He stood on the wall, his eyes fixed on the horizon, his mind churning with thoughts that refused to settle. The shadow was contained, the Network was thriving, and the world was at peace. But something was wrong. He could feel it in his bones, a cold presence that lingered at the edges of his awareness like a half-remembered dream.
"You're brooding again," Ava said, appearing beside him. "I can always tell when you're brooding. You get that look on your face like you're trying to solve a puzzle that doesn't have an answer."
Ethan managed a weak smile. "I'm not brooding. I'm thinking."
"There's a difference?"
"According to you, no."
Ava laughed, but the sound was strained. "What's bothering you?"
Ethan was silent
