Estelle could feel it in her bones—an odd sensation that her time was drawing near. It wasn’t something she could fully explain, but the certainty of it weighed heavily on her body. She wished, more than anything, that she had more time. There was so much left to do, so many dreams she had yet to fulfill, especially the dream of creating a truly safe haven for the people she loved. But despite the looming end, she had no regrets about the choices she had made, particularly the one that had cost her the most.

She would never regret saving Finn’s life. The little boy who had become her sweet younger brother was worth every sacrifice. From the moment she had pulled him from the wreckage of the orphanage, she had known he was special. His bright eyes and innocent smile were a beacon of hope in the dark world they lived in.

At first, it had been just her and the other children from the orphanage—Dante, Iris, Finn, and Mira—all struggling to survive in a world that had turned its back on them. But then, Alaric had come into their lives, a boy who had escaped from the lab with them. His sharp mind and fierce loyalty quickly make him an integral part of their little family. They had fled together, seeking safety in the shadows as the regime’s grip tightened around them.

And then there was Lydia, her best friend—the best doctor she had ever known. Lydia’s skills had saved countless lives, and her steady presence had been a comfort to Estelle when the weight of the world seemed too much to bear.

Over time, more and more people had found their way to her “home.” What had once been a small, hidden refuge for a few frightened children had grown into something much bigger—a shelter for those fleeing the regime’s relentless hunt for Aeths. Estelle knew the risks. The more people they took in, the greater the danger. But she couldn’t turn them away. It wasn’t just compassion that drove her; there was something else, a nagging sense of guilt that she couldn’t fully understand. It was as if she were trying to atone for something, though she had no idea what that could be.

In the beginning, Estelle had focused solely on providing for the children who had escaped the orphanage with her. With Alaric’s help, they had managed to scrape by, taking on odd jobs where they could and scavenging what they needed to survive. But as the regime’s hunt for Aeths grew more intense, it became harder and harder for them to find work. The world was closing in on them, and they were running out of options.

That was when they had made contact with the growing resistance. It had been a reluctant decision on Estelle’s part. She didn’t want to involve the children in the fight against the regime, didn’t want to expose them to more danger than they were already facing. But the reality was that they had no choice. The regime’s reach was everywhere, and the resistance offered a network of support that they desperately needed.

Even as their connections with the resistance grew, Estelle did her best to keep her focus on the people she cared about most. She directed others who sought refuge to different safehouses, hoping to keep the shelter’s numbers manageable and reduce the risk of discovery. But with every person she sent away, she felt a pang of guilt, a deep-seated worry about the uncertainty they would face out there in the world.

It was Alaric who had seen through the facade she had tried to maintain. He had always been perceptive, able to read the truth in her eyes when others could not. One day, as they sat together planning their next move, he quietly suggested that they expand the shelter. That they will build something more permanent, more secure—a place where people could find real safety, where they could live without fear.

Estelle had been surprised by the suggestion, but the truth was, she had been thinking the same thing. She just hadn’t had the courage to say it out loud. She had been torn between her desire to protect the ones she loved and the guilt she felt for turning others away. But Alaric’s words had given her hope, had made her believe that maybe, just maybe, they could create something that would last.

And so, with Alaric and Lydia by her side, she had thrown herself into the task of building the shelter into something more. It wasn’t easy. The regime was always one step behind them, and the danger was ever-present. But they had managed to carve out a space where people could live, where they could build lives for themselves despite the horrors of the world outside.

Now, as Estelle sat in the quiet of the shelter, watching over the children she had come to love more than anything, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace, even as the certainty of her impending end loomed over her. She had done everything she could to protect them, to give them a chance at a future. And while she wished she had more time, she knew that she had done her best.

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Estelle’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. She looked up to see Alaric standing in the doorway, his expression serious but his eyes filled with the same quiet determination she had come to rely on.

“Al,” Estelle greeted him with a smile, though she could sense that something was on his mind.

Without a word, Alaric reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, intricately crafted necklace. The pendant was simple—a smooth, polished stone set in a delicate silver chain. The stone shimmered faintly, catching the light in a way that made it seem almost alive, as if it held some kind of hidden power within it.

“Here,” Alaric said, his voice unusually tender as he held out the necklace to her. “I want you to have this.”

Estelle looked at the necklace, then back at Alaric, her brow furrowing in confusion. “What is it?”

“It’s for emergencies,” he explained, gently placing the necklace in her hand. “If you’re ever in danger—real danger—I want you to use it.”

Estelle’s fingers closed around the pendant, feeling the smooth, cool surface of the stone. “How does it work?”

Alaric took a step closer, his eyes locking onto hers. “All you have to do is hold it in your hand and wish to break it,” he said, his tone serious. “It will teleport you to a safe place—the place where we first met. It’s a location only we know about, and no one else can reach you there.”

Estelle looked down at the necklace in her hand, a mixture of emotions welling up inside her. The old ruins... the memories of that day were vivid in her mind, a bittersweet reminder of the beginning of their journey together. She hadn’t realized how much that place meant to him, or to her, until now.

“Why are you giving me this now?” Estelle asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alaric’s gaze softened, and he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair behind her ear. “Because I can’t always be there to protect you,” he said, his voice tinged with regret. “But if you ever need me—if you ever feel like you’re in a situation you can’t handle—I want you to use this. It will take you to safety, and I’ll come for you. No matter what.”

Estelle’s heart swelled with emotion at his words. She knew Alaric well enough to understand that this was his way of showing how much he cared, how much he valued her safety above all else. He had always been the protector, the one who kept them all together. And now he was giving her a way to protect herself, even when he couldn’t be there.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She reached up to fasten the necklace around her neck, the pendant resting just above her heart. The weight of it was reassuring, a tangible reminder of Alaric’s care and concern.

Alaric gave her a small, sad smile, the kind that spoke of unspoken worries and the heavy burden he carried. “Promise me you’ll use it if you need to,” he said, his voice filled with quiet urgency. “Don’t hesitate. Don’t try to be brave. Just use it, and I’ll come to you.”

Estelle nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “I promise.”

Alaric’s expression softened further, and for a moment, the weight of the world seemed to lift from his shoulders. He stepped closer, pulling her into a gentle embrace. Estelle closed her eyes, leaning into the comfort of his arms, feeling the steady beat of his heart against her own. In that moment, all the fear and uncertainty melted away, leaving only the warmth of his presence and the strength of his support.

They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in the quiet intimacy of their connection. Estelle wished she could freeze this moment in time, holding onto the sense of peace that Alaric always brought her. But she knew better than anyone that their world was not one for lingering in such moments.

Eventually, Alaric pulled back, his hands resting on her shoulders as he looked into her eyes. “We’ll get through this,” he said with a certainty that made her believe it, even if just for a moment. “No matter what happens, we’ll find a way.”

Estelle nodded, unable to find the words to express the depth of her gratitude and affection for him. Instead, she reached up and squeezed his hand, letting the gesture speak for her. Alaric’s lips curved into a faint smile, and he leaned down to press a soft kiss to her forehead.

“Stay safe,” he murmured, his voice a gentle command.

“I will,” she promised again, her voice steady.

With one last lingering glance, Alaric released her and turned to leave the room, his presence like a protective shadow that never fully left her side. Estelle watched him go, her fingers brushing the pendant around her neck. She knew she might need to use it someday—sooner rather than later, if the growing dangers were any indication. But for now, she took comfort in the fact that, no matter what came, she had Alaric watching over her.

As the door closed softly behind him, Estelle let out a deep breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. The weight of the necklace around her neck was a constant reminder of the love and trust Alaric had placed in her, and it filled her with a renewed sense of determination.

She would do everything in her power to keep the people she cared about safe, to protect the fragile peace they had carved out in a world that seemed intent on tearing them apart. And if the time ever came when she couldn’t fight anymore, she would use the necklace—she would call for Alaric, and she knew he would come for her.