The First Peaceful Night
That evening, the house felt calm in the best way.
No shouting.
No fear.
Only soft footsteps moving through familiar spaces.
Graham sat outside Harper’s bedroom, reading an old book.
He wasn’t standing guard.
He simply wanted her to feel that someone was close.
A few minutes later, her small voice drifted from the doorway.
“Mr. Graham?”
“I’m here.”
“Is he coming back tonight?”
Graham answered gently.
“No.”
A brief pause followed.
“Will someone still be here tomorrow?”
He smiled.
“Tomorrow.”
“The day after that.”
“And every day until you know you never have to wonder again.”
For the first time since she arrived…
Harper fell asleep without gripping her blanket in fear.
