The sun rose over the mountains, painting the valley in shades of gold and amber. Birds sang in the trees. A gentle breeze carried the scent of pine and wildflowers. It was beautiful. Peaceful. The kind of morning that made you forget the darkness that had come before.
Ethan stood on the porch of the community center, watching the light spread across the buildings below. It had been three weeks since the battle. Three weeks since they'd lost five good people. Three weeks since Price had surrendered. Three weeks since the healing had begun.
But healing wasn't a destination. It was a journey. And they were still walking.
Below him, the community was stirring to life. People emerged from their cabins. Children ran through the square. The smell of breakfast drifted through the air. Life was
