The walk back to the green valley felt like a wonderful, waking dream.
Just yesterday, Adonis had carried Nikki out of their little timber cabin, terrified that she would never open her eyes again. The sky had been a sick, ugly gray, and the world had felt heavy and hopeless.
Now, they were walking home under a bright, endless canopy of beautiful blue. The air smelled like fresh pine needles and sweet, clean rain. Nikki didn't need to be carried. She held Adonis's large metal hand, her bare feet stepping lightly over the soft green grass.
As they crested the final hill, the little wooden cabin came into view.
Silas, the brave old soldier, was sitting on the front porch steps with his heavy rifle resting on his knees. He looked exhausted, his eyes watching the tree line. But right next to him, playing happily in the dirt with a carved wooden block, was little Leo.
Leo looked up. He dropped his block.
