5:00pm.
The sky was a palette of violet and deep orange.
Long shadows stretched across the quiet graveyard, reaching for the trio standing before a simple, dignified headstone.
Peter.
Kurt's hand was a warm, steady anchor for Hope. The girl stood remarkably still, her small maid's uniform slightly dusty at the hem. Her eyes were fixed on the stone, and her expression was one of heavy sadness.
"Are you ready to leave, Hope?" Kurt asked softly.
Hope took a shaky breath, nodding as she clutched the hem of her apron.
"Yes. I told him about my new family. And about me being a maid. And... and that I'm being a good girl. That's everything's going to be okay." She looked up at Kurt, her eyes shimmering but her chin held high. "We can go now."
They turned back toward the gravel path. As the iron gates of the cemetery creaked behind them, Kurt looked down at her.
