THEY NEVER WANTED HER - NOW SHE'S UNAVOIDABLE

ft befo

ssert itself. Streetlamps cast a pale, almost sickly light, and the sidewalks gleamed with dampness. Claire didn't turn on a single lamp.

measured. Eve

ing. She didn't ask anything. She had understood, without being told, that silence was a form of protection

ok a wallet, emptied it of anything unnecessary. She left behind photos, papers,

er hand rested on a frame, then withdrew at o

on," she fina

in, felt the cold tiles bite into the soles of her feet. The sensation dragged her abru

Not with a sharp sound, but through a silent, irreversible break. She instinctively turne

ng them. No one w

more frightening

ide, her bag clutched tightly against her, throwing quick glances over her shoulder. Anna followed w

ull façades. Sidewalks cracked, signs flickered weakly. The city

ash. She sat by the window, placing Anna against her like a shi

ide. When she opened her eyes again, the light had changed. The sky

station. Nothing suggested a city

re for a while

Anna understood it didn't

found small jobs, always temporary. Cleaning at dawn. Kitchen work in an

to speak. Anna learned to recognize silences-the ones

e dangers and those hidden behind smiles that were too wide. She understood quickly-too quick

he heard he

a said nothing. She stared at the ceiling, counted the seco

aire came home

hadn't moved for hours. When the door finally opened, Claire entered hurri

stay here,

nna immediately felt a differe

now?" s

ly. She seemed surprised that

he replied after a mo

her face, as if trying

't leave

e. Since the men's visit, that certainty had followed her. I

ing again?"

es

time, the gesture was gentler. Careful

sor

r a few seconds. The

said simply. "We

her eyes. She

ay, they l

hrough without roots. Temporary homes. Schools abandoned befo

round. To leave no trace. She knew when to speak and wh

Claire

signs. Fatigue that clung on. Longer silences. Slower movements.

t go on like

, Claire sp

ame is

. The name ech

nd?" sh

time ago," Claire repli

hesi

t... I t

le. But there was something

re," she added. "In a

ke strangers. But she understood the necessity. Cons

see him?"

re n

time... I hop

he window. The sky was dark.

long while, the flight did

an at

at last, a re