Chapter 106
Jack
I hold Lanny in my arms and hold back tears, staring down at his sleeping face.
His tiny chest rises, falls. So small.
So peaceful.
Completely unaware that the world outside our walls has teeth.
I exhale — shaky, uneven — and hug him tight, careful but terrified, like holding him wrong might shatter this fragile moment.
He stirs, little fists scrunching my shirt, a soft noise leaving his mouth, halfway between a sigh and a whimper.
"…hey, buddy," I whisper, pressing my forehead against his.
He smells like milk and baby soap.
Like safety. Like a future I never thought I'd be allowed to want.
God.
I swallow, the burn behind my eyes getting worse.
It's 3AM.
They are leaving.
This is the best time, away from cameras, eyes, questions.
The world is silent. Moonlight bruised and silver over the driveway. The air so cold it bites my lungs.
"I'll see you soon," I whisper.
But the words scrape in my throat like a lie I'm praying into truth.
