Page 30 of Veinblood
“He thought his life was worthless, but seeing the world without him shows how much he actually mattered.”
“A useful lesson. Though painful to learn, I shouldn’t wonder.”
I think about his own experience. Twenty-seven years locked away, believing himself forgotten, only to discover the Veinwardens had never stopped following the path he’d laid down. The parallel isn't exact, but it's close enough to make my chest tighten.
“You know the feeling, don’t you?”
“Perhaps.” His hand stills for a moment before resuming its gentle movement. “Though my absence was forced, not chosen.”
We watch as George runs through the snow-covered streets of Bedford Falls, desperate to return to his life, his family, everything he'd wanted to escape. When he bursts through his front door to find his wife and children waiting, and the whole town arrives to help him, tears prick at my eyes.
I close my eyes, letting the familiar dialogue wash over me while Sacha’s fingers continue stroking my hair. The warmth of his body beneath my cheek, the steady rhythm of his breathing, the safety of being close to him—all of it combines into peace I haven't felt since … well,ever.
“Ellie?” His voice is soft.
“Mmm?”
“The bracelet from your childhood. You said it was silver, that it glowed during a storm.”
My eyes open, though I don't lift my head from his lap. “What about it?”
“Do you think it might still be in the place where you grew up?”
I sit up. “I don’t know. Why?”
“It might be our only physical link to your past in Meridian. Something you had before you came to this world. If we’re going to find a way back, that could be a starting point.”
His words settle over me. A physical link to my past, to the people who sent me here.
“The group home.”
“Where is it?”
“About an hour south of here. Assuming it’s still operating, that is. We could take the train. God, I haven’t been back there since I aged out at eighteen. I swore I’d never set foot in the place again.”
“But you will. For answers.” It's not a question. He knows me well enough now to understand that I'll do whatever is necessary to find answers. To help him find a way back to Meridian, and the war waiting for him.
“Yeah,” I say quietly. “I will.”
On screen, the story reaches its conclusion. George Bailey, surrounded by friends and family, finally understands his worth. His house fills with people who care about him, everyone singing while snow continues to fall outside.
“Happy ending.” My attention is fixed on Sacha's face rather than the screen.
“For this story, anyway.”
I think about George Bailey learning his worth through absence, about Sacha's years in the tower believing himself forgotten. Stories of value hidden until circumstances force it into the light.
“Do you think we'll find it?” My voice is quiet. “The bracelet, I mean?”
“I think we'll find answers. Whether the bracelet itself still exists or not, returning to where it was taken might provide other clues. People who worked there. Will they keep records, or details about the night you arrived that could help us understand what happened?”
“Maybe. Probably.”
The thought of walking back into that place makes my stomach clench, but his certainty helps steady me. We've faced worse together. Ancient towers and desert crossings and Authority forces. A building full of uncomfortable memories shouldn't be anywhere near as difficult.
“Tomorrow. We'll figure out how to get down there and see what's left of my past.”
Sacha nods.
