The search (11)

Nila reached up, cupping his face in her hands. "You won't. Do you know why? Because you're not the same person you were back then. You've grown, Cyrus. You've learned. And you have people who care about you—people who will help you if you ever feel like you're losing control."

Tears glistened in his brown eyes, but they didn't fall. For the first time in years, the weight on his chest seemed to lighten.

"Do you believe that?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

"I do," Nila said without hesitation. "And if you ever doubt yourself, just remember this, the fact that you're even asking these questions, the fact that you're worried about being a monster, proves that you're not one. A monster wouldn't care."

Her words struck a chord deep within him. Slowly, he reached up and covered her hands with his, his touch warm and steady.

"Thank you, Nila," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you."