The morning after I became part of the garden, the community gathered at the pool. They did not mourn. They celebrated. They understood that I had not left, that I had simply become something more. The water was clearer than it had been in years. The marker seemed to glow in the depths. The song threads hummed a note that had never been heard before.
Rowan stood at the ledge, looking down at the water. Ellis was beside them, their hand resting on Rowan's arm. The community waited.
"The old ones have passed," Rowan said. "They have become part of the garden. They are everywhere now. In the water and the stone and the song. They are still here. They will always be here."
There was a murmur of agreement. The community understood. They had been taught well.
"But we are still here," Rowan c
