Finn steps forward.“Just...stay one more night.At least tonight.Let’s regroup after practice tomorrow—”
“Finn,” she interrupts gently.“I love being here.I love being around you.”
He goes pink.She doesn’t notice.
“But I’m not staying here because I’m scared.”
“You’re not scared?”I ask, not because I don’t believe her—because fear looks different on her every day.
Her eyes meet mine.“I’m scared all the time.”
The truth of it hits hard enough to rock me.
“But,” she continues, “I’m also capable.And smart.And aware.And I know my building.And you checked it, Atlas.You cleared it.”
“I cleared it last night,” I say quietly.“Things change.”
“I know,” she whispers.“But I need to try.”
Kael crosses his arms.“We won’t allow—”
“I’m not asking permission,” she says.
Silence smothers the room.
Nobody breathes.
Nobody moves.
Wren swallows once.“I’m going home tonight.You can walk me in, if that makes you feel better.But after that...I need one night.One.In my bed.In my space.With my things.Without looking over my shoulder expecting someone to tell me I’m not allowed.”
Kael opens his mouth.
She holds up her hand, small but steady.“I’m not negotiating.”
Finn looks helpless.“We just want you safe.”
“I know,” she says softly.“And I love that about you.All of you.But safety doesn’t mean never being alone.”
I feel something deep and ugly twist in my gut.
Because she’s right.
And I hate that she’s right.
And I hate the part of me that wants to tell her she isn’t.
But I also know I can’t keep her under surveillance for the rest of her life.None of us can.
This isn’t about control.
It’s about fear.
And if I don’t manage my fear, it’ll crush her freedom.And then what?She’ll resent us.She’ll lose herself.She’ll become small.That’s not her.That’s not who we’re trying to protect.
Kael rakes a hand through his hair.“Wren...”
“I’m going home,” she repeats quietly.“Tonight.”
