ed before Victo

s stones, the lighthouse that blinked like a patient heartbeat at dusk. But every evening, her eyes would wander

rth evenin

world could collapse around him and he'd

" Victory said, walking up w

an eyebr

of the cups. "Thoug

his thanks. The steam swirled between

omething," Victory sai

ced at her

night," she continued, "do the

g. Slowly. Sometimes you don't notice the ch

ounds l

But it's

was okay. Back in the city, I wore a smile so long it started to feel like skin. Bu

erently then - not with

ell anyone?

e ever

ll. Of things they hadn't said. Of things they m

ed above like the

eople don't just pass through. Maybe they arrive exactly when