Help Arrives

Marla held onto Miles' hand, stopping him from ushering Daisy into the room. When they arrived just moments ago, Miles had looked anxious, almost frantic and that alone told Marla everything she needed to know. The thing they had all worked so carefully to avoid… had happened again.

"You know, Miles…" she said, her voice low but steady, "Mr. Kingsley always told us not to make decisions on our own when this happens. His instructions were clear... we follow them, no matter what."

Miles stood still, jaw tight, eyes flicking toward the closed door at the end of the hall. Behind it was a storm waiting to wake.

"But Marla…" he started, almost in a whisper, "both of us know... if we don't act now, it might take a week… maybe even a month before he comes back."

Marla's grip on his wrist didn't loosen. Her expression didn't waver either.

"I know," she said quietly. "But if we push the wrong way, we might lose him for even longer."