Three weeks.
That was how long Sable had been gone.
Three weeks since the day she disappeared.
Two weeks since the tunnel.
Now she stood in the living room of the apartment, one hand resting lightly against the back of the couch while her father watched from the armchair.
"You're sure?" William asked.
Sable nodded.
"I think so."
Her teachers had sent weeks of missed material.
William had received everything.
She had started working through it slowly the past few days—reading notes, reviewing assignments, trying to rebuild the rhythm of schoolwork.
She wasn't completely caught up yet.
But she was getting there.
And three weeks was already long enough.
"Four weeks would probably make it worse," she said quietly.
William studied her for a moment.
He could see the hesitation beneath her calm voice.
But he also knew something else.
If she waited until she felt completely ready…
She might never go back.
So he nodded once.
"Alright."
That was all he said.
Sable returned the nod and headed upstairs.
Her room looked exactly the same as it had the day she disappeared.
Nothing had changed.
But something inside her had.
She stood there for a moment, looking at the bed.
For reasons she couldn't fully explain, she still didn't want to sleep in it.
The couch downstairs had become familiar.
Safe.
William hadn't questioned it.
He never told her she had to go back to her room.
So tonight she packed her school bag instead.
Books.
Tablet.
Notes.
The simple act felt strangely unfamiliar.
She hesitated before lifting the bag onto her shoulder.
Three weeks without carrying anything.
She tested the weight.
It felt manageable.
She walked across the room once.
Then back.
Still manageable.
Sable nodded to herself.
Before going downstairs, she pulled out her phone.
Going tomorrow.
The message went to Raxian.
The reply appeared almost instantly.
You sure?
Sable stared at the screen.
She wasn't completely sure.
But she typed anyway.
I think so.
A pause.
Then another message.
I'll walk with you.
She hesitated.
Then typed again.
Can you come pick me up?
The response came before she even locked the phone.
Yes.
No hesitation.
-
The next morning her EGO watch vibrated gently against her wrist.
A soft notification tone followed.
The avatar on the screen appeared.
Expression neutral.
But something about the posture suggested concern.
Wake-up reminder.
Sable blinked sleep from her eyes.
"I'm up."
The avatar studied her.
Sable exhaled softly.
"…I'm getting better."
For a moment the small figure said nothing.
Then it nodded.
Good.
The avatar faded from the screen.
Sable sat up slowly.
The couch had become familiar now.
Almost routine.
But today was different.
She stood.
Her legs held steady.
Then she went upstairs.
Getting dressed for school felt oddly formal.
She had been wearing soft wear at home.
Pulling on the tie and beanie again felt...
Strange.
Her backpack was waiting by the bedside in her room.
She lifted it again.
Still manageable.
But when she approached the staircase, something inside her tightened.
The steps felt longer than usual.
She reached for the railing.
One step.
Then another.
Careful.
Slow.
The door opened.
Raxian stepped inside.
He froze for a moment.
His eyes moved immediately to the backpack on her shoulders.
Then to the careful way she was holding the railing.
He crossed the room quickly and walked upstairs toward her.
"Here."
His hand reached for the bag.
"I've got it."
Sable hesitated.
A part of her wanted to prove she could manage.
Another part knew the truth.
She was still healing.
So she nodded quietly and slipped the straps off her shoulders.
Raxian took the backpack and slung it over one shoulder.
Then he moved slightly closer.
Not touching.
Just close enough.
If she slipped, he would catch her.
Together they walked down the stairs.
Slow.
Careful.
When they reached the bottom, Raxian glanced around the apartment.
Sable knew exactly what he was looking for.
"My dad's out," she said.
Again.
Just like the last time Raxian had come over.
Raxian didn't question it.
But she saw the tension in his shoulders.
He was wondering.
Whether William was really there for her now.
Or if things had simply returned to the way they used to be.
"He's been here," Sable said quietly.
Raxian looked at her.
"He's been cooking."
"Checking in."
"Working from the armchair sometimes."
She paused.
"…He's trying."
Raxian exhaled slowly.
The tension eased slightly from his shoulders.
"That's good."
They stepped into the hallway and took the elevator down.
When the doors opened, cool morning air drifted into the building lobby.
They walked outside.
The city was just beginning to wake up.
Cars passing.
Students moving through the streets.
Life continuing like nothing had changed.
They started walking toward school.
Slowly.
Raxian carried the backpack.
He tried not to hover.
But every small movement Sable made caught his attention.
The way she shifted her weight.
The pace of her steps.
Her breathing.
At one point he spoke quietly.
"If it's too much…"
She looked up.
"We can turn around."
"You don't have to go today."
Sable thought about it.
The school building wasn't visible yet.
But it was getting closer.
"I want to try," she said.
Raxian nodded.
Even though he didn't like it.
And together they kept walking.