The sound of dripping water.
The old blankets.
The notebooks stacked in a dry corner.
For a moment, she felt a strange ache of longing.
The cave had frightened her, isolated her, and taken away years she could never recover.
But it had also become familiar.
She had learned to survive there.
She had discovered strength she had not known she possessed.
And she had spent countless nights believing she would never see her father again.
Now he stood beside her.
Waiting.
Not forcing her.
Not deciding for her.
Simply waiting for her answer.
“Do you want to go inside?” he asked.
Layan shook her head.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He looked relieved.
“Why not?”
She took his hand.
“Because this time, I get to choose when I go home.”
They turned away from the mountain.
As they walked toward the parking area, Layan glanced back once.
She did not see a monster hiding among the rocks.
