~Elsie's POV
I slowed the swing until it came to a stop on its own, the movement fading gently instead of breaking suddenly. I sat there for a second longer, just holding the ropes lightly, like I was trying to keep the feeling from slipping away too fast.
There was something strange in my chest, light in a way I was not used to. It was not happiness exactly, not something loud or full, but more like a small space had opened inside me where the weight had been sitting for too long.
I stood up slowly from the swing.
My legs felt steady, which surprised me a little.
I turned and walked back toward where Salvatore was standing.
He had not moved much. I stopped a few steps away from him. For a moment, I did not speak. I just looked at him and tried to understand the feeling in my chest.
"I want to start talking to the psychiatrist," I said finally.
My voice came out quieter than I expected, but it did not shake.
There was a pause.
