Mira POV
Mira ran through the endless halls of the library.
Her boots thudded softly against the floor.
The air felt heavy, pressing down like fog.
Ava was in her arms, carried in a princess hold, and James clung tightly to her back.
Holding them was the only way to move fast. If they walked as a group, they would be too slow.
Bookshelves stretched forever on both sides. The smell of paper and dust mixed with something metallic.
Then it hit her.
The mental connection with Alan vanished.
Her body froze mid-step.
She stopped running.
"Alan…" she whispered.
The word barely left her mouth.
Even the children sensed it.
Ava's small fingers dug into her clothes. James stiffened on her back.
James spoke, "Sister. Did brother Alan—"
"He's fine." Mira's voice came out sharper than she meant. "We need to focus on what we're doing."
She gritted her teeth and forced herself to move again.
The muscles in her jaw trembled with anger.
Alan… that childish, stubborn boy.
