For once, I don’t sleep with fists clenched.

  Fire crackles. Laughter rolls. No blades waiting in the dark.

  Feels strange.

  Feels… safe.

  Grinsh tells stories too loud. Myla shakes her head but smiles.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Even the quiet ones share food without looking over their shoulder.

  It don’t feel like cage.

  Don’t feel like jungle.

  Feels almost like family.

  I watch Selena.

  She still keeps her cloak close. Still watches Nerro with those sharp eyes.

  Walls still high. Fire still her shield.

  But sometimes, when she forgets herself,

  I see it — the way her shoulders ease,

  like she wants to believe this too.

  I know it’ll be hard for her.

  Trust don’t come easy when the world took it from you young.

  But I don’t care how slow it goes.

  Because sitting here, hearing them laugh,

  I know whatever comes —

  trials, beasts, betrayal, fire —

  we can get through it.

  Together.