You stand at the edge of the Salvatore boarding house balcony, fingers curled around the railing. The sky is shifting—deep blues fading into gold. You shouldn’t be here.

Your body tenses, instincts screaming to run before the sun rises and burns you alive. Old habits from a life that ended days ago.

Behind you, a door creaks open.

“Planning on catching fire, or just feeling dramatic this morning?”

Damon’s voice is lazy, but his eyes are sharp, watching you carefully.

You glance down at the silver ring on your finger—the one he gave you. “What if it doesn’t work?”

He steps closer, leaning beside you. “Then this’ll be a really short morning stroll,” he says with a smirk. “Relax. It’ll hold.”

The first rays of sunlight crest the horizon. You brace for pain, but none comes—only warmth against your skin. A shuddering breath escapes you.

“See?” Damon nudges you. “Told you.”

You exhale a shaky laugh. “Yesterday, the sun could kill me. Today, it’s… just the sun.”

“Yeah. Welcome to the world’s weirdest second chance.” His voice is quieter now, almost thoughtful. “Don’t waste it.”

The sun rises higher, and for the first time since turning, you feel just a little bit human again.