~Close Enough to Trust~

EIRA

I noticed Daphne before she noticed me.

She was standing near the east courtyard, watching the early patrol rotate out. She didn’t interfere.

Didn’t linger too close. Just observed. That alone made her different from most visitors. People either tried too hard to belong or stayed stiff with fear. Daphne did neither.

I almost turned the other way.

Almost.

But avoidance had already cost me sleep, and I was tired of letting unease decide my steps. So I ...