'So cold. She still felt so cold. Where is her warmth?'
Max reached out, grasped Lyra's frail fists, and wrapped her own warm, gentle hands securely around them. Max could barely hold back her growing excitement, though she knew intellectually that it was still too early to celebrate their victory.
"You must still be in shock," Max began softly, smiling at her with absolute understanding. "I know this is a lot of information to take in all at once. I, too, thought it was completely surreal when she handed it over. But I promise you, this is entirely real. There is no longer any reason for you to be scared."
Max beamed at Lyra, her chest tightening with excitement for her. Now, finally, Lyra could be entirely free from her terrible sister.
And more than that, she had gotten Lyra back. Max's insides felt giddy, her heart completely full. She could almost burst into pure happiness at the prospect of their freedom. Things could finally go back to the way they were before...
