Time Difference

"We're going to that place," Grey said, his voice soft but firm.

"Together. But if you don't stop crying and keep quiet, we'll never make it there. So… yeah." 

For a moment, silence hung in the air.

Then, to everyone's surprise, the children stopped sobbing. 

Eve blinked, caught off guard.

She had expected more tears, more resistance—anything but this sudden calm.

Apollo, perched on Grey's shoulder, threw his tiny arms up in a mock display of astonishment, his face frozen in exaggerated shock. 

Even Grey himself was a little surprised at how well his words had worked.

He kept his expression neutral, though, not wanting to ruin the effect. 

One of the kids, a boy named Noah, sniffled and looked up at Eve, his big, watery eyes full of hope.

"Is it true? Are we really going to meet them?" 

Eve hesitated, her mind still replaying Grey's uncharacteristically sincere words.