The low hum of the ship surrounded them, a soft vibration in the soles of Jian's boots as the spacecraft made its descent through Earth's atmosphere. Clouds parted like silk being drawn aside, revealing the broken skyline beneath—a devastated earth, still standing but scarred.
Jian sat near the panel, arms crossed, gaze locked ahead—but his mind… it was a mess.
Without Quangya, everything suddenly felt too quiet. The little one's constant tugging, whining, or squealing had always kept Jian's nerves on edge, but now, the silence in the cabin felt unnaturally loud.
He shifted uncomfortably.
Something in his chest was off.
It was his heart. Loud. Too loud. Why was it pounding so hard?
