The weeks that followed the confrontation at Marcus's lab were strange.
Not because anything was happening. Because nothing was happening. The shadow had gone silent. The fragments were calm. The Frequency was peaceful. For the first time in years, there was no immediate threat, no looming danger, no enemy at the gates.
And Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that it was all too good to be true.
He stood on the porch of the community center, watching the sun rise over the mountains. The golden light spread across the valley, painting everything in warm hues. Birds sang in the trees. A gentle breeze carried the scent of pine and wildflowers. It was beautiful. It was peaceful. It was everything they'd fought for.
But the silence felt heavy. Like the world was holding its breath. Like someth
