Side Story 4.84 - We Don't Run

Liliana's POV

The next morning, the sunlight felt gentler than usual. It peeked through my older brother’s curtains like it was checking on us. Like it was making sure we were still here—still okay.

He was snoring softly, his arm thrown over Mr. Bumble like the bee had gone to war and earned his respect. I giggled to myself seeing this side of Joha. For sure if I told him about this, he would not believe it.

I stayed still for a while, listening to the birds outside, the hum of safety in the walls. No shadows moved. No trees whispered. The world was... still.

But I couldn’t stop thinking about yesterday.

About the blood.

About how fast it had happened.

One second he was laughing, sword-toothbrush in hand. The next—he was