The clouds that had hung over the sky for weeks finally broke, leaving behind a crisp, brilliant winter morning just a few days after the New Year. The chaos of the hospital, the bitter cold of the basement, and the terrifying shadow of Irene felt, for the very first time, a little like events that belonged to a bad dream rather than real life. Azaria was finally back home, sleeping in her own bed, surrounded by familiar scents and Wolf's company, though his presence still made her flinch sometimes. Physically, her body had bounced back well. The exhaustion that had pulled her limbs had faded, her skin had regained its healthy color, and the tightness in her throat was completely gone. Yet, inside her mind, everything still felt exceedingly delicate.
