Jake nodded, and Claire found herself relieved to be leaving the canyon. The sooner they left this place behind, the better. But as they made their way back to the vehicles, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted inside her. The battle was over, but the scars—physical and emotional—would take time to heal.
Back at the safe house, the mood was somber but triumphant. Olivia's team debriefed quietly, going over the details of the operation, while Claire and Jake retreated to one of the quieter rooms. The exhaustion was hitting Claire hard now, her muscles aching, her mind struggling to process everything that had happened. She collapsed onto a worn couch, her eyes closing for a moment as she tried to catch her breath.
Jake sat beside her, leaning back and staring up at the ceiling. "You should get some sleep," he said after a long silence. "We've got a long road ahead."
