Mira’s POV

Lyra breaks our evening silence. “I need to go into the city. Really go. Not just to counseling. To face it.” I freeze. “Are you sure you're ready?”

“No. But I’m tired of hiding.” My instinct is to shield her, keep her safe in these quiet quarters. But she’s right, hiding isn’t healing. “People are still angry,” I warn. “Grieving. You could be in danger.”

“I know. But I can’t heal in isolation. I can’t change if I’m running from what I did.” ...