The next morning, Alaric went through his usual routine with a sense of calm. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and everything seemed perfectly ordinary. He got ready for school, helped Lucy with her breakfast, and kissed his mom goodbye before heading out the door. As he walked, his thoughts were filled with the events of the previous days, but he was determined to focus on the present.
The walk to school was uneventful until he reached the end of the street, where his friends were waiting for him. They greeted him with their usual jokes and banter, and Alaric joined in, enjoying the easy camaraderie. The group started making their way to school, laughing and chatting about their plans for the weekend.
