Beyond Survival

Vance returned with Leo just as the afternoon sun cast long, warm shadows across the hospital room. Leo had a paper bag in one hand and a chocolate smear on his cheek—the kind of boyish mess Lyra hadn’t seen in years.

Silas gave them both a final nod, murmured something about pending meetings, and left with the same quiet efficiency he always carried. The room felt noticeably still without him.