Resolve

Anastasia gently laid Atticus on the bed, carefully pulling the blankets over him. His face was still stained with dried tears. 

She wiped away the tear tracks, brushing a few stray strands of his white hair out of his face, and gave him a deep kiss on the forehead. 

"Rest," she whispered softly, staring at him for a few moments, her heart aching.

With a final glance, she left the room. As the door closed behind her, silence descended, broken only by the soft rustle of the sheets as Atticus began to stir. 

"No…" he groaned faintly, his voice trembling.

His breathing grew ragged as his body jerked sharply, his face contorting in pain as he relived horrors in his mind. 

The darkness in the corner of the room stirred, and from its depths, Arya stepped out, her eyes heavy. She approached him slowly, her heart breaking as she saw his distress.