I went in alone this time.
Caelan had wanted to come. Kael had been quiet about it in the specific way that said he had an opinion he was choosing not to force. I had understood both positions and gone in alone because the Remnant had been approaching me specifically and alone was the version of this conversation most likely to be honest.
The In Between settled around me with the familiarity of a space that now recognized its occupant. The wound’s presence arrived gently, like a hand on a shoulder.
“It is here,” I said.
“It has been here every time,” the wound said. “Waiting at a respectful distance.”
“It does not feel threatening.”
“No. It is old and it is patient and it is very tired of existing without acknowledgement.” A pause. “It has a name. It has always had a name but it has
