My chest loosens.
Just a little.
Enough.
Something shifts against my hand.
Warm.
Solid.
Real.
Not the fight.
Not the memory.
This is now.
I try to focus on it.
Can’t see it.
But I feel it.
Fingers.
Holding mine.
Firm.
Like they’re not letting go.
“Stay with me.”
Her voice drops lower.
Closer.
Right there.
Not a request.
Not a plea.
An order.
That almost makes me laugh.
Almost.
Even like this—
Someone’s giving me orders.
But I follow it anyway.
Because something about her voice—
