Aria's POV

After the long night of staring at stars, I went back to sleep. Then the next morning, I woke up to silence. Not the soft kind that feels safe, but the kind that presses down on your chest and reminds you how empty everything is. My eyes opened to the pale ceiling of the hotel room, and for a moment, I almost forgot where I was. Then the ache in my stomach pulled me back. It was sharp and hollow.

The small pouch of money I had was already lighter. I had counted it twice the night ...