The day moved swiftly, as if time itself was urging Damon forward.
By the evening, the bags were packed, and everything was ready for the flight back to the U.S.
Svetlana checked her phone while Damon carried their luggage down to the lobby of the hotel. She had been unusually quiet since morning, her usual vibrant energy subdued.
Damon glanced at her as they waited for the car to the airport. "You okay?"
Svetlana looked up, startled out of her thoughts, and smiled faintly. "Yeah, just thinking about everything. It's been a lot, you know?"
Damon nodded. "I get it. These last few weeks have been insane. But hey, we're heading back to handle what needs to be handled. One step at a time."
As they rode to the airport, Damon stared out the window, the weight of everything hitting him at once.
The tournament was just the beginning. There was so much to do, Joey's brother, his mom, the Ismael Desayen challenge, and somehow preparing for his next step in the tournament.
