47.The Spaces Between Us

Elara stood alone on the Wraith's upper deck, one hand braced against the curved viewport as the stars bled past in endless silence. The adrenaline from their narrow escape with Dr. Voss's data drive had faded, but her chest still ached like her heart hadn't decided whether to keep beating.

Behind her, she heard footsteps slow, deliberate.

"I thought you'd be asleep," Aeron said softly.

She didn't turn. "You didn't think I'd let you brood alone, did you?"

He gave a dry, almost affectionate scoff, then came to stand beside her. For a while, they said nothing. The silence between them wasn't empty it was thick with all the things they hadn't said.

Finally, Aeron broke it. "What if we're not just running from them, Elara? What if we're becoming them?"

She looked up at him. "You think we're losing who we are?"