The morning after the return was quiet.
Not the heavy silence of grief or fear. A different kind of quiet. Peaceful. The kind that comes after a long storm, when the clouds finally part and the sun warms the earth again.
Ethan stood on the porch of the community center, watching the sunrise. The mountains were painted in shades of gold and pink. 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.
Nora walked out, her footsteps soft on the wooden boards. Her eyes were brown, clear, peaceful. The white glow was gone. She was just herself now. Human. Complete.
"You're up early again," she said.
"Couldn't sleep. Too much on my mind."
"Good things, I hope."
"Good things. The future. Wh
