Sophia disappeared over the top of the hill.
The wind changed, as it were.
Down out of the crooked rosewood trees a raven flared, his black feathers glistening in emergent sunlight.
Then it landed atop Maddy’s headstone.
Its claws clicked against the marble.
It cawed once—sharp, loud, final. A sound that echoed against the stones.
Then, without pause, it took flight again, wings slicing through the morning like a blade. One feather dropped in its wake, drifting slowly to rest beside the thorn.
And then the grave was quiet again.
Ethan was still there when the sun reached its peak.
His legs had gone numb, but he hadn’t noticed. His hands hung at his sides. His eyes, fixed on the ground between the graves.
He had believed Maddy. He had loved Maddy.
And yet, everything she built ha
