The early morning felt quieter than usual, even for them and the event they came for. It seemed as if they packed into their suitcases and carried along with the folded clothes and shoes, like it was tucked between carry-ons and lukewarm cups of airport coffee.

Their flight left just after seven. Neither of them said much on the drive to the airport. Lucas had taken a call the entire way, angry responses to someone she couldn’t hear on the other end, it was as if he woke up on the wrong ...