Chapter 16 – The Silence After War
Chapter 16 – The Silence After War
Jefferson City didn’t sleep that night.
But it was no longer fear that filled the air.
It was uncertainty.
The operatives who had gathered around Daniel Carter now stood in quiet formation.
No weapons raised.
No orders spoken.
Just waiting.
Daniel looked at them once.
Then spoke.
“Go home.”
A man in the front hesitated.
“Sir… what about Washington?”
Daniel answered calmly.
“That’s no longer your fight.”
A pause.
“It’s mine.”
One by one, they began to leave.
Not defeated.
Not dismissed.
Released.
Emily watched them disappear into the rain.
Then she whispered,
“…It’s really over?”
Daniel didn’t answer immediately.
Because in his experience…
Nothing like this ever truly ended.
Finally:
“No.”
May you like
A pause.
“Now it becomes honest.”
