The old man's bony hands began to tremble violently.
Grandpa Rue held the little glowing flower closer to his face, staring at the image hovering above its petals. His eyesight was not as good as it once was, but he did not need to see every detail.
He knew that face.
His grandson was back home.
Jian was home.
His fingers curled protectively around the stem. For so long, he had wondered where that child was, whether he was safe, whether he was even alive. There had been nights when he lay awake staring into the darkness, afraid that he might die on this unfamiliar planet without ever seeing Jian again.
And now, without warning, his face had appeared right in front of him.
A small body suddenly pressed against his side.
The little girl had run over to him, while Quangya quietly came closer and clung to his arm. Grandpa Rue looked down and found both children staring at him.
"If Brother is back…" the little girl whispered hopefully, "are we safe again?"
Grandpa Rue froze.
