THE REUNION
She stayed in the meadow for three days.
Not in Elysium. In her mind. The Singularity bridged the gap between the real world and the deep layers, allowing her to be with her mother while her body rested in the forgotten city.
They talked about everything. Her childhood. Her mother’s work. The Singularity. The Warden. The Uploaded. The survivors. The future.
On the third day, Elara said, “You need to go back.”
“I know.”
“Your people are waiting for you. The city. The camp. Amara. They need you.”
“They need each other. Not me.”
“They need someone to remind them that they need each other. That’s you.”
Nova stood.
“I’ll come back. To visit.”
Elara smiled. “I know.”
They hugged one last time.
Then Nova opened her eyes.
She was back in the garden, behind the fountain, the flowers blooming in impossible colors. The sun was setting. The lanterns were being lit.
She stood.
She walked through the city, past the faces that watched her, past the whispers that followed her, to the gates.
She looked back once.
The old woman was standing beside the fountain, watching her go.
“Will you come back?” the old woman asked.
“When I’m needed.”
“You’re always needed.”
Nova smiled.
She walked through the gates.