Two days had passed since that night’s conversation with Chris and the events that led to it.

By now, I was getting restless.

Under normal circumstances, I could manage. But not this time.

I was acutely aware of a former comrade waiting on that continent. It felt like I could almost reach them if I just stretched out my hand. Yet here I was, stuck, unable to return.

Chris hadn’t left my side for those two days. Despite there being no real danger to me at home, she seemed to have grown significantly more overprotective since that day.

She stayed …