Boston Medical – 9:03 AM
Amara stood in front of the full-length mirror in her room, one hand resting against the frame, the other tracing the faint curve of her collarbone. She was dressed in soft jeans, a cream-colored top, and her hair fell loose, unbrushed but honest. There was no makeup today, no pretense. Just skin, breath, and the quiet fact that she was still here.
A knock at the door.
"Come in," she said, voice steady.
Kael stepped in, holding a paper bag and two cups.
"Got breakfast," he said. "Or the closest thing a hospital café can offer without an apology note."
She smiled faintly. "That's a strong opening."
He set the bag down. "I didn't want to assume you wanted to see me today."
"I didn't want to assume you'd still show up."
They looked at each other. Quiet. Measured. But not afraid.
"I want to take a walk," she said.
"Then I'll come with you."
Courtyard Garden – 9:21 AM
Leaves crunched beneath their shoes as they walked slowly along the path that circled the courtyard. A fountain bubbled at the center, surrounded by benches and short hedges trimmed into careful lines.
Amara glanced at the water.
"I remember thinking I'd never see things like this again," she murmured. "Just… ordinary beauty."
Kael slowed beside her. "You're allowed to have it back."
"I'm not sure I trust it yet."
He nodded. "Then I'll hold it with you until you can."
They stopped near a bench.
"I don't know what we are," she said. "But I know what we're not. We're not pretending anymore."
"No," Kael agreed. "We're not."
Downtown Café – 11:48 AM
Rin sat at a window booth with Tasha. Her coffee had gone cold, but she hadn't touched it. She was watching the street, watching people live lives that didn't ache.
"I thought leaving would feel like falling," she said.
Tasha chewed slowly, then wiped her mouth.
"And?"
Rin looked down at her hands.
"It felt like I took my first breath."
Tasha nodded. "That's how you know it was time."
Rin leaned back. "I'm not angry anymore. Just… rebuilding."
"You want him to be happy?"
"I want me to be happy."
Selene's Bar – 2:02 PM
Eli wiped down the bar top while Nari arranged fresh flowers in a short glass vase. The bar was quiet—pre-shift calm before the weekend rush.
"You always do that," she said.
"What?"
"Clean when you're thinking too hard."
He paused.
"You always catch that," he replied.
Nari placed the flowers in the center of the counter.
"Still scared?"
He nodded. "Yeah. But also ready."
She walked around the counter and leaned against it beside him.
"Let's figure it out. Together. No promises. Just effort."
Eli reached for her hand.
"I can do effort."
Police Station – 3:14 PM
Nova stood in the evidence room, scanning through records. Kade appeared in the doorway, holding two coffees and a new file.
"I pulled traffic cam data from the west entrance of Barlow Street. Night she vanished."
Nova took the file.
"You think he was following her by car?"
"Not just following. Waiting. The timestamps line up too clean."
Nova flipped the folder open, stared at the grainy image of a black SUV parked across from the art center.
"License plate?"
"Blurred. But I've got someone enhancing it."
Nova's voice dropped.
"We're going to find him, Kade. And when we do… she'll never have to see his shadow again."
Hospital Garden – 4:46 PM
Amara sat cross-legged on the grass, shoes off, sketchbook balanced on her thighs. Kael sat beside her, legs outstretched, arms draped across his knees.
She was drawing again. Something light this time. A little girl and a balloon.
Kael watched the pencil move.
"I forgot how calming it is just to watch you draw," he said.
Amara didn't look up. "It's the one thing I never lost. Even when I thought I lost myself."
He glanced at her hand. Steady.
"Do you want me to stay in this?" he asked.
She paused. "I don't know yet. But I want you near while I find out."
Kael nodded. "That's enough for me."
Nova's Apartment – 6:33 PM
Nova sat with her laptop open, the room dim except for the blue light of the screen. She was typing up a report, but her mind wandered.
She opened a new tab.
Searched: Trauma-informed therapy Boston sliding scale.
She clicked, scrolled, bookmarked.
Then she grabbed her phone.
A message to Amara:
You good?
The reply came back quick.
For the first time in a while… yeah.
Nova exhaled.
Then smiled.
Rooftop – 8:10 PM
Kael leaned on the railing, the skyline lit behind him.
Amara stepped out with two mugs of tea. She handed him one.
They sipped in silence.
She turned to him. "You still dream about the past?"
"Only when I forget to forgive myself."
She rested her head on his shoulder.
"Let's stop forgetting."
He nodded. "Let's remember forward instead."