The rain had stopped.
Ethan sat in the passenger seat of Ava's car, watching the trees blur past. They were leaving Seattle behind. The city lights faded in the rearview mirror, replaced by darkness and the occasional glow of a passing truck. The highway stretched ahead, empty and silent.
Ava drove with one hand on the wheel, her eyes fixed on the road.
"You sure about this?" she asked.
"No," Ethan said. "But I need to get away for a while."
Ava nodded. "I understand."
They'd been driving for three hours. Ethan had packed a bag and told Nora he needed time. She didn't argue. She just said to stay safe and check in when he could.
The truth was, Ethan didn't know where he was going. He just knew he couldn't stay in the city. Every street reminded him of something. Every building held
