FINDING ELENA
The screen for the hallway outside the lounge glowed.
There she was.
She was walking slowly, head bowed, one hand pressed briefly to her mouth as if trying to hold herself together.
He watched as she passed the turn toward her room.
~~~~~
ELENA
The dim lights and the warmth of the house wrapped around me like a secret. By the time I reached my room, my control cracked.
I shut the door, leaned against it, and the tears.
My body shook, my breath catching in small, painful bursts.
Sky stirred.