Chapter 15 - A Thousand Miles AwaySix months later, they lived in another state.
A thousand miles separated them from the old house.
The new home was brighter.
Quieter.
There were wide windows.
A small backyard.
A kitchen filled with ordinary things.
Tea.
Spices.
Coffee.
Nothing was locked inside a box anymore.
Maya was six months old.
She had discovered that laughter was one of the most powerful sounds in the world.
David sat on the living room floor, shaking a plastic rattle.
Maya laughed.
Leah walked in carrying two mugs of coffee.
She looked different.
Not because she had changed physically.
Because she finally looked safe.
"You know," she said, sitting beside him, "I think she has your stubborn chin."
David smiled.
"She has your resilience."
Leah leaned against his shoulder.
For a moment, neither spoke.
There were no alarms.
No police.
No hospital.
May you like
No footsteps outside.
Just the sound of their daughter laughing.
