Severed Ties

Onboard the military plane, signal flares, each marked with a number, were handed out.

Everyone else was paired up, except for Elara.*

While the others nervously double-checked their gear, Elara just sat back with her arms folded, leaning against the cabin wall and resting with her eyes closed.

Blackie lounged around her wrist, its tail flicking idly, both of them totally at ease.*

Suddenly, she u