Page 226 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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Seconds stretch.

Too long.

Then—

“Clear,” comes the call.

I don’t breathe again until Havoc nods.

“Let’s go.”

We move inside.

The warmth hits me first.

Then the smell—coffee, wood, something familiar.

Normal.

It shouldn’t feel this strange.

Grandpa relaxes slightly beside me.

“Is this home?” he asks.

My throat tightens.

“Yeah,” I whisper. “For now.”

We guide him to a chair near the fireplace.

He sinks into it with a sigh.

“I got lost,” he says again, looking at me like he’s trying to make sense of it.

“I know,” I say, kneeling in front of him. “It’s okay.”

He studies my face.

Really studies it.

Then—

“You came back,” he says.

Not confused this time.

Certain.

My breath catches.

“Yeah,” I whisper. “I did.”

His hand comes up.

Cups my cheek.

“I knew you would.”

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