Morning sunlight spilled across the quiet suburban street as soon as Nix pulled the car out of the driveway. It was one of those crisp American mornings cold enough for the windows to fog at the corners but warm where the sun touched. The sky stretched wide and pale blue, streaked with wisps of cloud like faint brushstrokes.
Elisa watched the world from the backseat. Houses lined the street, each spaced neatly apart, trimmed lawns dusted with early dew. A jogger passed by, earbuds in, breath puffing visibly in the air. Somewhere in the distance, a dog barked. Everything felt calm… painfully calm. Too calm compared to the storm turning circles in her chest.
Nyxella babbled softly beside her, kicking her tiny legs against her car seat. While Nix glanced at them through the rearview mirror briefly, before fixing his eyes back on the road. His jaw was set, unreadable. Even the simple act of blinking seemed calculated, making Elisa swallow hard.
