Chapter Twenty-six

Emma

We had arrived to Rett’s home through the underground garage. I recognized the decline in the road, the different scents once the car door opened, and the way Rett’s voice echoed in the concrete cavern.

Despite my offers to walk, I remained cradled against his chest as he carried me up the cement stairs. The sounds around us changed as we entered his home. Over the last week, I’d learned to rely more on my other senses as my sight was limited. The world was filled with sensory input if only we took the time to be receptive.

Rett’s step had more bounce as we moved from cement, to tile, to hardwood. Now, after climbing another set of stairs, his footsteps were muted, indicating that we were walking down a rug-lined hallway. A latch clicked as I imagined a door opening. After a few more paces, Rett laid me on a soft bed. Without speaking, he covered my legs and torso with a blanket.