The afternoon sun colored the sky with shades of rose and gold as Kai lightly pulled at Noah's hand, a soft smile playing on his lips.
"Where are we headed?" Noah asked, looking sideways at Kai, who had not stopped smiling since they exited the apartment.
"You'll see," Kai replied, the excitement in his tone barely contained. "It's… sort of sacred to me. I've never brought anyone here."
Noah furrowed his brow. "Not even Ash?"
Kai also shook his head. "Not even Ash."
They drove for roughly an hour, past city structures and twisty roads that led to the peaceful countryside. The world ground down, and there was no need to speak for once. The quiet between them wasn't oppressive—it was serene.
Finally, they arrived at a small, secluded lake lined with ancient trees and wildflowers. A creaky wooden dock jutted out over the lake, weathered but still firm. At the center of the clearing stood a deserted, paint-peeling boathouse.
