The morning sun filtered in through the shutters of the house, casting strips of golden light across the floor. Outside, the birds were chirping cheerily as if the world itself was unaware of the turbulence that had plagued the lives of those now preparing to leave it behind. Inside, calm settled over the air like a freshly laid blanket, though beneath it lay the quiet thrum of parting emotions.
Williams sat in the living room, already dressed and packed. His sharp grey eyes, quiet with thought, were fixed on the man seated across from him, Dr. Alex, Dera's uncle, the man who had stood as a guardian in her most broken time.
The two men sat in silence for a moment that wasn't uncomfortable, just heavy with unspoken things. Williams could hear the soft movements coming from the bedroom. Dera and Dexter were still packing their things. It made his chest feel full and tight all at once.
