Chapter 61: Echoes and Ashes
The sunrise was hesitant, like the sky itself wasn't sure if it was safe to begin again.
Cain stood at the riverbank alone, eyes focused on the rippling water that flowed like time itself—unbothered, constant, indifferent. His reflection stared back at him, flickering between the man he was now and the boy who once begged for freedom in the dark.
He heard the quiet steps before he felt the hand on his shoulder.
Leo.
"You do that brooding thing a lot more now," Leo muttered, stepping beside him. "Is it like...a 'dad energy' thing or what?"
Cain snorted, glancing at him. "What?"
"You know—like you've become the responsible one." Leo made a face. "Weird."
Cain's smile was soft, tired. "I was always the responsible one."
"Sure," Leo said sarcastically. "Except that time you tried to set our entire dorm on fire because someone stole your boots."