C22 The Salt in the Wound

The world didn’t settle.

It only learned to wobble less.

Reed rose slowly from the altar, his breath still shaking like a lantern in the wind. His chest burned with a memory that felt carved into bone instead of mind.

Yemi stood frozen, her silver eyes searching his face as if afraid he would vanish again.

“You’re certain?” she whispered.

Reed nodded. “I didn’t imagine it