Dawn Departure

The morning of the trip arrived cloaked in a quiet hush, the kind that came just before sunrise—when the sky was more lavender than blue, and the world hadn’t quite decided to wake.

Lyra stood by the window in her new room, coffee mug in hand, staring out at the sleeping city beyond. Her suitcase was already packed by the door. Leo had hugged her twice before going back to sleep. Ms. Mabel promis