Page 224 of Inside the Sun

I get up and head around the house, to the front gate. Hunter’s pulled up in a truck. And strapped in the back… is my bike.

A jolt of joy pierces me.

Hunter hops down from the cab, and right away, I notice something different. It’s very subtle, not a full transformation, but there’s a new energy about him. Lighter. More… alive.

We share a firm brotherly hug, and he says, "Congratulations. Mission accomplished, Sergeant."

I raise a hand to my brow in salute. "Yes, sir, Lieutenant."

I grin, then just have to ask, because I know something’s up.

"That shift I’m sensing in you, means something, right?" I tilt my head. "You went to that marriage contract fair, didn’t you?"

To my surprise, there’s the faintest blush on his otherwise stone-carved face. The fact that he’s evenblushingmakes me grin harder.

"I did," he says under his breath. Then he hops up into the bed of the truck, drops the ramp, and starts unstrapping the bike.

But I’m not letting this go.

"So what happened? Did you meet someone whose contract was worth buying?" I ask, wiggling my eyebrows at him.

Hunter’s face stays mostly unreadable, as always, but there’s a tiny twitch at the corner of his mouth. Like he’s fighting off a smile. And that alone, after how lifeless he’s looked formonths, feels like a small miracle. There's definitely something different in his aura now. A careful hope.

"It’s a long story," he finally says. "And I won’t bore you with it now, you’ve got a big day ahead. But call me later, more… rested. It’s all still fresh. I may have a story to tell."

I nod, understanding. "Sure thing. We’ll talk."

We lower the bike down together. He checks it one last time and says, "Ready for the road!"

Then he gives me a pat on the shoulder. "I’ll leave you to it. Gonna go say good morning to the folks. Haven’t seen them since the funeral. Didn’t return their calls. Time to make amends!" He sighs.

He heads off toward the house while I give the bike a quick once-over, then strap my backpack to the back.

As I circle around the patio again, trying not to interrupt Hunter’s reunion, I spot Snow still sitting there. I slow down, hesitating.

"Listen," I say. "My brother, Moon, said that ifSummer follows Sun, everything will turn out okay. But he added,until he no longer has to,and I think this is that moment. That’s why I’m leaving him with you. Please take care of him."

Snow lifts his strange pale-violet eyes to mine. For a second, he doesn’t say anything. I’m already halfway turned away, assuming he won’t respond, but then his low, deep voice surprises me.

"Thank you for bringing him here."

I pause, half expecting a goodbye or a safe travels, but instead, he just lifts the harmonica again and starts to play. The tune is a little brighter now, a little more hopeful. Like he’s saying something with the music that he doesn’t want to put into words.

I nod silently in farewell and head back inside. Sun’s dad is already in the kitchen, talking to Hunter. I try to slip by quietlyand give them privacy, heading for the stairs, but he catches me with a warm voice.

"Ragnar, I made breakfast for you both, it’s on a tray. Maybe bring it up to the room?"

Then he gives me a gentle smile.

As I reach for the tray, he suddenly places his hand on my forearm.

"You guys are leaving, aren’t you?"

I nod. "It’s for the best. It’s something we both really want. And need."

"Of course. You know where to find us. Always."

Then he pulls his hand back and winks.

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