Aliana’s POV

The Silence After Death

For a long moment, there was nothing.

Just the sound of my own breathing, the faint rustling of Sandy shifting behind me.

I stood slowly, looking down at Robert’s lifeless body.

And I felt…

Nothing.

No satisfaction.

No pain.

Just the quiet, empty realization that this chapter—this nightmare—was finally over.

Behind me, Sandy let out a small, shaky breath.

I turned immediately, lowering the gun.

He stood there, his small frame trembling, his wide gray eyes looking up at me with something I couldn’t quite place.

Fear?

Shock?

Or… understanding?

I crouched down in front of him, placing the gun carefully on the ground...