For a moment we both watch the sun drop lower across the horizon.
The sky turning deeper shades of gold and red.
Then Boone says—
“There’s something I wanted to ask you.”
I glance at him.
“What?”
“When this is all over…”
“…what do you want your life to look like?”
I blink.
“That’s a big question.”
“I know.”
I think about it.
Really think about it.
“For most of my life…”
“I’ve lived inside data centers and government buildings.”
“Watching systems.”
“Analyzing threats.”
“Stopping disasters.”
Boone nods.
“And?”
“And I’ve never actually thought about what comes after that.”
The last sliver of sunlight disappears beneath the ocean.
The sky fades into soft blue twilight.
Boone turns slightly toward me.
“You could come with me.”
My heart stutters.
“Where?”
“North Carolina.”
I blink again.
“You’re serious.”
