The bridge felt cold under Kael's palms.He'd been sitting there three hours now, legs hanging over the edge, staring at the Argentis River churning fifty feet down. Water looked black in the moonless sky, and Kael wondered if drowning hurt more than burning did.Probly not. Nothing could hurt worse than that.His fingers traced the scars up his left arm—melted skin that healed all wrong, a forever reminder burned into him. Healers saved his life. He'd never forgave them for it."You know," a voice said from behind, "if your gonna jump, pick a bridge with better lights. Merchants Bridge has those nice magelights. Real dramatic for a exit."Kael's head whipped around. Girl stood there, maybe 18 or 19, with wild auburn hair catching the little starlight through Valdris's smog. Wore a food-stained apron over work pants, carrying a basket that smelled like fresh bread."Go away," Kael said."Can't. This my bridge." She stepped closer, feet sure on the stone. "I cross it every night after bakery shift. Your in my spot.""Your spot?""Where I sit and eat the day-old rolls they give me." She plopped down beside him—not too close, but near enough he smelled yeast and cinamon. "I'm Mira.""Dont care.""That's ok. You dont have to." She pulled a roll, bit in, chewed while swinging her legs over the drop. "Your Kael Ashborne. Thornwick fire. Six months back."His chest tightened. "How—""Small city. Even smaller when you work bakery. Everyone talks." She grabbed another roll, held it out. "Your parents. Little sister. You the only one got out.""Stop." Voice broke."They say you tried going back in. City guard had to hold you. You fought so hard broke your own wrist."Kael's right hand went to his left wrist automatic, where the bone healed crooked with a constant ache. "Why you doing this?""Cause your on a bridge at midnight, and I think you need someone say it out loud." Mira bit her bread. "Wasnt your fault.""You dont know me.""I know you been holed up in that boarding house on Copper Street. Havent left your room four days. Mrs Hemlock told my boss shes worried you'll—well." She waved at the river. "Know the fire started next door, faulty warming rune. You couldnt of stopped it.""I shoulda woke up faster." Words tasted like ash. "Shoulda got them out. Shoulda—""Died with em?"It hit like a punch. Kael nodded, tears burning he thought were gone. "Yeah.""Why?""Cause they gone and I'm here, and every morning I wake up remembing they're dead and I'm not. Its wrong, all wrong—" Voice cracked bad. "I feel the heat when I close my eyes. Hear Maya screaming my name. She was seven. Seven! Died in flames while I—"Couldn't finish. Sobs hit hard, ugly, he bent over knees shaking.Mira didnt touch him. No fake comfort. Just sat, eating bread, let him fall apart.When it eased, she said, "My brother drowned three years ago. Swimming this river—further north. Current got him. I tried reaching, but wasnt strong enough. I was twelve, he nine."Kael looked at her proper first time. Green eyes, sad, steady as hell."For a year I came here every night. Thought bout joining him. Figured if I drowned too it'd balance out, make sense.""What stopped you?""Stray cat." She laughed, sharp. "Dumb huh? Mangy orange thing followed me home. Yowled at my window for food. Realized if I jumped, no one feed it.""That's...""Ridiculous? Yeah." Mira waggled another roll. "But I fed the cat. Helped at bakery for food money. One day whole morning passed no death thoughts. Then a day. Grief stayed—never leaves—but got bearable. Had something small to live for."Kael stared at the roll. Stomach empty, couldnt remember last meal, but food turned his gut."I aint got a cat," he said."No. But you could." She shook the bread. "Need energy to hit the shelter tomorrow for one.""Dont want a cat.""Then dog. Bird. Reason." Eyes met his. "Aint saying it gets better, Kael. Dont know if your family'd want you living. But your here, talking to a stranger not jumping. Means some part of you wants see what next."Roll hung there, offer or dare maybe both.Kael thought of river. Scars. Screams. Waking to weight of living.Then Mira, lost her brother to this water, still crossed the bridge.Hand moved first. Took the roll.Warm, soft, tasted like honey."Bakery's got a cat," Mira said, standing brushing crumbs off apron. "Big gray jerk named Ash. Good company tho. Morning shift starts five." Turned to go, paused. "If your still around tomorrow, I'll intro you.""I dont—""Five oclock, Kael. Thornwick Bakery, Market Square." Grinned fierce. "Dont be late."Gone then, footsteps fading, left him with half roll and tiny spark—maybe hope.Looked at river. Bread.Slow, pulled legs back, stood on ground.Five was only six hours off.
