Kael couldn't sleep.
The sofa creaked with every slight movement, as if it, too, carried the weight of his conscience. Outside, the rain was soft—but inside, the silence pressed harder.
He held the book in his hands, closed.
He didn't want to open it.
But he couldn't let it go.
From the doorway, Sara watched him. Her silhouette barely stood out in the shadows of the hallway.
"Can't sleep?" she asked softly.
Kael looked up. His expression was hard, but his eyes betrayed the exhaustion.
"No. I can't shut off my mind."
She walked barefoot toward him, wearing a long sweater, her hair loose.
She sat beside him, carefully.
"Are you thinking about what happened?"
He nodded, staring at the book like it was a loaded weapon.
"I don't know if I did the right thing, Sara. Killing Ismael… it wasn't just self-defense this time."
"Then why did you do it?"
Kael hesitated. He ran a hand over his face.
"Because I wanted it to end. All of it. The fear, the pain, the hate... I wanted it all to end with him."
Sara lowered her gaze and hugged her knees.
"I can't tell you if it was right or wrong. But I know you, Kael. And I know you didn't do it because you wanted to."
"I feel dirty."
"You're alive. That's already more than most can say in this place."
Kael let out a bitter laugh.
"I don't know if I'm still myself."
"You are," she said instantly. "You're tired, confused, broken… but you're still you. And I'm not going anywhere."
He looked at her, guilt and relief mixing in his eyes.
"Why are you like this with me?"
"Because I care. Because I don't want to lose you."
Sara took his hand. Her fingers were small and soft, but her grip was firm.
"Don't carry it all alone. You can't."
"What if I become someone you don't recognize?"
"Then I'll stay with you until you come back."
Kael lowered his head. Closed his eyes.
"Thank you."
"Come here," she said with a soft smile. "Just lie down a little. I'm not promising a good sleep, but at least you won't be alone."
He obeyed, resting his head on her lap. Sara gently ran her fingers through his hair—like she was healing something invisible.
"Can I ask you something?" he murmured.
"Of course."
"Are you afraid of me?"
She took a moment to answer.
"No. I'm afraid of what this world is doing to you. But not of you."
The silence returned, but this time, it wasn't as cold.
Without realizing it, Kael fell asleep.
⋆⭒✧༺༻✧⭒⋆
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains.
Sara was making coffee while Kael stared at the book.
Nothing had changed.
Same page. Same number.
"Kill 100 mortals to continue. Progress: 8/100."
Kael slammed it shut.
Sara turned around with a mug in her hand.
"Everything okay?"
"Not really… but not worse either," he replied with a smirk.
She sat across from him at the small kitchen table and handed him the mug.
"Here. It doesn't fix anything, but it's warm."
"Thanks."
"What does the book say?"
Kael hesitated, then answered.
"That I can't read more until I kill a hundred people."
Sara stared at him, worried.
"That's… horrible."
"Yeah."
"And are you going to do it?"
"I don't know," he admitted. "I don't want to become that. But… if they keep coming after me, if I'm forced to fight again..."
Sara gently touched his hand.
"You don't have to decide everything right now."
Kael looked at her.
"But I need a plan. I can't just hide here forever."
"Then stay today. Just today. Think about the rest tomorrow."
He smiled, for the first time in days, though it didn't last long.
"You don't mind me being here?"
"Kael… it helps, having you close. Even if you're a mess."
The bubbling sound of coffee was the only thing filling the silence for a while.
Then Kael stood and grabbed the sword case.
"I'm going to train outside."
"Want me to bring you a towel when you're done?" she asked shyly.
"Yeah," he replied, not turning around. "I like it when you do that."
Sara smiled quietly.
⋆⭒✧༺༻✧⭒⋆
Kael trained in the backyard for an hour.
Not to prepare for killing, but to keep from losing himself.
Each sword movement was a fight for balance.
A refusal to give in.
By the time he finished, sweaty and breathless, Sara was already waiting on the steps with a towel and a bottle of water.
"I wasn't sure if you wanted water or hot chocolate," she joked.
"Both would've been great."
She dried him off carefully, like he was fragile.
"Hey, Sara."
"Hmm?"
"Thanks for… being here."
"You don't need to thank me. Just promise me something."
"Anything."
"If you ever feel like you're losing it, tell me. Don't wait until you're at the edge."
Kael looked at her seriously.
"I promise."
She nodded, satisfied.
"Then everything's going to be okay. Somehow… it will."