Jude followed her gaze, watching as the first stars began to appear. "The light?"
She shook her head. "The peace."
He exhaled slowly, considering his answer. "I don't know. But I think as long as people keep moving forward, it has a chance."
She hummed in agreement, letting the conversation drift away. The city had been through so much, but it was still standing. That had to count for something.
The next morning, Jude woke to the sound of rain tapping lightly against the rooftops. It was the first rain since their return, and it smelled fresh, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and new beginnings. He stepped outside, feeling the cool droplets against his skin. Around him, others were doing the same, faces turned up toward the sky, arms outstretched to catch the falling water. It was as if the rain was washing away the remnants of the past, leaving them with only the present.
