He stared at her back, then at the empty space beside him. His expression shifted, disappointment first, then a mix of something unspoken. Jealousy? Hurt? Maybe just understanding.
He looked away.
Karen reached Abuchi and sat down beside him without asking. The space between them was quiet.
Abuchi didn't look at her. In truth, he hadn't wanted company. His mind was running wild, plans, backup plans, what ifs, and all the ways this mission could fall apart. He needed space. He needed silence.
But she was already here.
And he couldn't just chase her off.
Especially not Karen. She had put herself in danger for him and Ruth. She had no reason to help, no obligation. Yet here she was. Sitting beside him like a quiet shadow in the night.
"How are you holding up?" Karen asked softly, not looking directly at him.
"I'm fine," Abuchi said quietly, eyes fixed on the dark sky that was slowly bleeding into shades of early morning. "Just thinking about our next move."
