The campus looked almost normal again. Students scattered across the quad, laughter floating through the

air, with the clatter of trays from the nearby café.

But to Desiree, it felt like walking back to a world she no longer belonged to.

Lucas walked beside her, one hand tucked in his pocket, his backpack slung over the other shoulder. “You sure you’re ready for this assessment?” he asked, glancing at her with a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

She shrugged, hugging her ...