The plane landed smoothly.
There was no sudden rush for Amelia.
No urgency.
Just a quiet shift.
The soft impact of wheels meeting the ground pulled her gently back into reality, like the world had been waiting patiently for her return.
Around her, people began to move almost immediately. Seatbelts unclicked, overhead compartments opened, voices rose again in small bursts of conversation.
Life resumed.
But Amelia stayed still for a moment longer.
Her fingers resting lightly on her lap.
Her gaze steady.
As if she needed one last second to hold onto the silence she had found above the clouds.
Then she stood.
And just like that.
She stepped forward.
The moment they walked out of the airport, the air felt different.
Warmer.
Sharper.
Familiar.
Amelia paused without realizing it
