she had known. She sat near the window, watching buildings fade into unfamiliar streets.

an

she had first heard it, only that it had been spoken in a low voice, heavy with

s were scattered and unhelpful. A few old articles. A busine

e made he

to hide did not va

the directions from a saved address she barely remembered writing down yea

he kn

its sign faded and crooked. The windows were d

hesi

o go somewhere safe. Somewhere ordinary.

ed the d

s lined the walls, cluttered with boxes and broken equipment.

leared th

spun a

is face marked by years of exhaustion rather than age. His ey

ke him," he

raced. "You kn

. "Better than he w

d. "Are you

retched be

es

crashed into her

me," Naomi said. "They mentioned

been expecting this moment for year

him abou

forgive questions," he replie

oser. "Then tell

"Once I do, there

ate. "I already c

Then Ethan nodded and g

g to fight, you need to understa

lse steadying as deter

father died, she felt closer

life would never