(Solomon's POV)
The next morning—
The sun rose late.
Not because something was wrong.
Because nobody had told the sun what time forever was supposed to start.
The realization arrived courtesy of the little girl.
Naturally.
She stood in the middle of the sanctuary's central square.
Hands on her hips.
Staring upward.
Waiting.
Thousands of people had gathered.
Not because they were ordered to.
Because curiosity remained the most powerful force in existence.
The child glanced at me.
Then at the horizon.
Then back at me.
"The sun is confused."
I rubbed my eyes.
"What?"
"The sun."
She pointed upward.
"It doesn't know what comes after 'The End.'"
I looked at the sky.
The sky looked normal.
Golden.
Bright.
Peaceful.
The child sighed.
"You're still looking with your eye
