The sky was painted in soft shades of amber and rose as the sun began to set. Ellie sat on the porch steps, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the wood grain, the weight of everything she’d been through settling heavy on her chest.

Then, footsteps came—steady, familiar.

Ellie looked up, heart pounding in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time.

There stood Abby, bruised, dirt-smudged, but with something fierce and tender in her eyes. Alice was close behind, quietly watching.

For a long moment, the world narrowed to just the two of them. No anger, no past grudges — just the raw, aching truth between them.

Abby’s voice was soft, almost vulnerable. “I didn’t leave. I’m here. I want to be here.”

Ellie swallowed hard, emotions swirling — pain, hope, fear — tangled and real.

“I wasn’t sure you would come back,” Ellie whispered, standing slowly.

Abby stepped forward, her hand reaching out hesitantly.

Ellie’s breath hitched as their fingers brushed, then intertwined.

“I don’t want to lose you,” Abby said, voice breaking with honesty. “Not again.”

Ellie’s eyes glistened, tears threatening to spill as she closed the space between them.

“I’m tired of fighting,” Ellie murmured, her forehead resting against Abby’s. “Maybe we can find something better… together.”

The world outside seemed to fall away — just the two of them, raw and real, standing on that porch surrounded by memories and possibilities.