The Weight of Truth

Lyra stood frozen. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest, her breath shallow as panic and grief swirled together. She wanted to move, to help, but her legs felt like stone.

“Kaelen…” her voice broke, soft and uncertain, as if she feared speaking would make the reality sharper.

“Stay back, love,” Kaelen said quickly, his tone gentler but firm as his eyes flicked to her. “It’s okay… I’ve got he