Morning came with a gray sky and cold wind.
The truck sat on the ridge like a lone survivor of the night, its frame streaked with soot. Below, the valley still burned—black smoke twisting upward where the Burners had moved through.
Riku stood outside, arms crossed, staring down at the destruction. He hadn't slept. His rifle leaned against the hood, a habit more than a need.
Suzune joined him, pulling her jacket tighter. "They're still burning it."
"Yeah," Riku said quietly. "They'll move north when they're done."
"Toward us?"
"Eventually."
For a moment, neither spoke. The only sound was the wind moving through the dry grass.
Behind them, Ichika was trying to warm a can of soup over a small camping stove. Hana and Ken sat close together under a blanket, watching the flames. The rescued woman from last night—still unnamed—was sitting near the back of the truck, silent, her eyes empty.
Suzune nodded toward her. "She hasn't said a word since we left the valley."
