The house was finally quiet.
Sofia didn't sleep.
She sat on the edge of the bed long after Katie left, staring at the smoke still glowing on the curtains from the reflected window. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw fire. She saw Sunshine's nursery. She saw her own name in a headline.
A soft knock tapped at her door. Not Katie this time. Deeper. Slower.
"Sophia?"
The voice made her sit up straight.
General Billy Homes.
He was in full fatigues, even at 1am. Rank, bars, and all. Active duty. But the man under the uniform was the same boy who used to trade comic books with Eric behind the bleachers. Eric's childhood friend. The one person Eric actually listened to when he said "stand down."
Billy didn't come in. He just held out a mug of tea.
"You haven't slept," he said. It wasn't a question.
"I didn't think anyone noticed," Sofia whispered, taking the mug. Her fingers were still cold.
