The taxi arrived in Astoria as evening light bathed the neighborhood in warm orange tones.
Compared to Manhattan, the atmosphere was much calmer here. The streets were lined with family homes with modest front yards and neatly trimmed hedges.
Children could still be seen playing outside despite the earlier Rift incident. Caelus quietly looked out the taxi window. The taxi eventually stopped in front of a modest two-story family house.
Caelus paid the driver before stepping out. Sylvia quietly followed him onto the sidewalk. They walked up the front steps together.
Caelus pressed the doorbell. Several seconds passed in silence. Footsteps were heard inside approaching the entrance.
The front door slowly opened. The first person to appear was Caelus's mother, Elena. She had warm eyes and a naturally cheerful expression.
Before she could greet Caelus, her eyes landed on Sylvia. She froze completely in place.
