86

The end?

The family of four walked slowly through the familiar streets of Riverdale, but this time, it all felt different.

The trees seemed taller, the air crisper, as if the town itself had transformed while they were gone. Claud glanced at the cobblestone streets, feeling a sense of nostalgia pull at him.

It was as if each house they passed, each flower blooming in a neighbor’s yard, held a memory waiting to be rediscovered. Lupa’s hand brushed against his, her eyes flicking around, taking it all in with a quiet smile.

They hadn’t been gone for long, not even up to a week but somehow, coming back made it feel like an eternity had passed.

Damien, walking just behind them, was unusually silent. Normally full of chatter, he now took in everything with wide eyes, as if seeing their hometown for the first time.

Clary had fallen behind to inspect a cluster of daisies on the roadside, twirling one between her fingers before skipping back to the group.

When they finally reached the fami