Chapter 82

Bianca and I sat tucked away at a softly illuminated table in the neighborhood bar, the air thick with the aroma of inexpensive local cigarettes, beer, and the murmur of nearby conversations. The ambiance was enhanced by the strains of local music filtering in through multiple open windows, carried by the gentle breeze.

"You've changed a lot, Aurora," Bianca observed, her fingers casually wrapped around a beer bottle. She took a leisurely sip, her eyes studying me over the rim.

"Really?" I echoed, mirroring her action with my own bottle, its familiar, bitter taste grounding me in the moment. In this small village, choices of drinks were limited, but this beer didn't feel too bad.

"The way you stand now, there's no trace of weakness, only confidence," she continued. "You used to be like a frightened rat, skittering about, lacking any semblance of self-assurance."

"People change, I suppose," I murmured, a wave of sadness washing over me. My thoughts drifted to Xander. Was he still alive