YELENA

The sound of footsteps wasn’t just one person, it was a small crowd.

I blinked, squinting against the hallway lights as the group rounded the corner, and my heart skipped a beat.

It was my mum. Right behind her was Tristan’s mother, who had a sleeping Claire strapped to her back in a colorful wrap.

Then came Daniel, Nyra, and even Jackson.

I sat up straighter, my exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Mum!" I called out, my voice cracking just a little.

She didn't even wait for me ...