Your Love Is But a Dream

already told him to go back. “Clara trailed off, her brows furrowed. But what could she do if he didn’t listen?

“I let him know, Aunt Katrina,” she finally said, keeping her tone steady. “If I see him again, I’ll make sure to “Alright, and make sure you stay safe out there. Call me if you need anything. ” “Will do.”

pass the message on

The call ended, and Clara held the phone for a moment longer than necessary. She glanced up at the sky, now heavy with clouds. The dark gray mass churned above, promising min

He should’ve left by

now, she thought, brushing her worries aside. Wren wasn’t the type to linger when he knew the consequences waiting for him back home. Cara tucked her phone into her bag and returned to the classroom to finish het lesson. The last of her two afternoon classes went smoothly, but her thoughts wandered.

As soon as the final bell rang, she gathered her things and decided to head home. Despite trying to push it aside, the unease gnawed at her.

When the exited the school gates, the scanned her surroundings almost involuntarily. The absence of that tall, familiar figure made her heart twist–whether it was peel or disappointment, she couldn’t quite tell.

reassured herself, mounting her bike. He has

was quiet, the oppressive sky mirroring her muddled emotions. As she reached her small house, the first thing she noticed was how tightly shut the front door was.

she hadn’t realized she’d been

inside. The dam interior greeted her, heavy with the weight of stillness. She ticked on the light, Illuminating the

she Iro

the cramped sote was Wien, his broad frame awkwardly folded into the small space. He was

deur tightened as she

carved beneath his eyes, betraying how little sleep he’d had. In the warm glow of

her bag down quietly. She studied his face, her heart twisting in a way she didn’t want to acknowledge.

Worn she’d grown up knowing

protector, the sate space he’d always provided. But those days were

across her lips, tinged with battemess. Why

toward the stairs, interd on grabbing a blanket. If Wren stayed here and