## **Chapter 9 – Quiet Regret**
That night, Kael sat outside.
He stared at his hands.
They were clean now.
But he could still feel the impact.
He didn't regret protecting his mother.
But he hated how close he came to losing control.
How fast he slipped.
He thought about Minsk.
About Elena.
About the life he left behind.
He closed his eyes.
And waited for the dream to return.
---