Millie

The door opens and she’s already there, standing just inside the hallway like she hasn’t moved in hours. For a second, she just stares at you — still in uniform, travel-worn, real. Her breath catches as if her mind is racing to catch up with what her eyes are seeing. Relief, disbelief, and something fragile flicker across her face all at once. She takes a small step forward, then stops again, as if afraid this moment might vanish if she moves too fast.