s. Just days before, he returned from a life-or-death assignment, the burden of his duties heavier than the equipment he had peeled off as he walked through the front door. Brevoort

nce the laughter, the chatter, the pandemonium ev

to reconnect with the life he had left behind. As he readied for a meeting with Clara the only

y recall that had coursed through him like a shock. He panicked; there was no option but to com

im. Her presence soothed the raging storm inside. Clara was the anchor he had so desperately wanted, her

e softened, tinged with a

head up," he sighed, the weight of

g her face. "

aid, and that was only half tr

closer, stroking his cheek with soft fingers. "It's wher

f a life he had not consented to. He filled the room with an electric charge, and he cast a shadow over their tender moment. They both

ce cut with a bite,

questioned, his voic

ohn said, his anger and guilt bubbling t

nd Elias snapped. Clara inserted herself be

he said with a steadiness that seemed

ing raced behind his eyes, struggling against the impulse to strike. Anger ha sucedido

peration... it was more than a cop jury-r

own skin," Elias hissed, tightening and

tle of pride and misunderstanding. She wondered how they could bridge such a vast chasm from their past. The door had opened, a

 said at last, his voice softer, sh

n?" Elias asked, strugg

, Elias. We're on opposite sides now,

cture, every possibility was more darkly conspiratorial than the others, and he could tangibly feel th

h other's choices. Between them stood Clara, steadfast, demanding the only thing they both required: a reminder to breathe thr

their encounter, ready too save each oth

ck to peace without surrendering the parts of himself that he needed to acknowledge? But time would tell, yet somehow in that moment th