Ethan didn't reply.
He finished his meal slowly, his mind already preparing for the next morning.
Lilith noticed.
"You're leaving early," she said gently.
Ethan nodded. "They want everyone at the launch site before sunrise."
She stood and walked behind his chair, placing a hand softly on his shoulder.
"Then go rest now. We'll keep the night quiet."
He stood up, gave a short nod to the rest, and headed upstairs.
His room was just as he left it. Clean. Still. Dim light from the windows.
He lay down without a word and closed his eyes.
The night passed quietly.
When morning came, Ethan rose early.
The house was still silent. The sky outside was still dark, the first signs of morning barely starting to stretch across the edge of the city.
He dressed quickly, checked his equipment pack, and stepped outside.
He then went towards his car and got in.
As the gates opened behind him, the car joined a stream of other vehicles, each heading toward the same destination.
