AMBER
The moment we stepped outside, the air hit different.
Like the world itself knew I wasn’t the same anymore.
Stephanie didn’t say a word. She just walked, her grip on my hand firm but not harsh, like she was afraid letting go would mean losing me again. Her pace was fast, urgent. I had to jog a little to keep up, the hospital slippers slapping weakly against the ground.
I didn’t ask where we were going.
I didn’t need to.
Anywhere felt better than back there—with the tension, the guilt, the stares that looked at me like I was a puzzle they couldn’t solve.
I still felt the echo of that glowing sword she summoned. That power. It wasn’t normal.
Then again… neither was I.
Stephanie finally stopped at a sleek black SUV parked beneath a stretch of pine trees just beyond the medical
