Gavin stood by the front of the packhouse, watching the children as they played in the sunlit clearing just beyond the trees. It had been a tense morning, the weight of their previous discussions still lingering in his mind. He could feel the pressure of everything—the council’s looming presence, the unsettling situation with Kenneth, and Hannah’s return. But for now, at least, he wanted the children to feel some semblance of normalcy. They had been through so much, and he hoped that a bit of fresh air and playtime might help ease their hearts, even if only for a moment.
Tim and Sarah darted between the trees, laughing as they played a game of tag. For a brief moment, Gavin found himself smiling at their joy, their innocence untouched by the storm that brewed around them. He watched as Ti
