C210 NO ONE WALKS AWAY UNMARKED

The village woke slowly, unaware that something irreversible had already brushed against its fragile peace.

Smoke curled from hearths. Doors opened. Footsteps crossed familiar paths. Life continued as it always had.

Only Aria felt different.

She strolled through the morning as though her body belonged to someone else. Every sound seemed closer, every color sharper. When she passed people