Lisa didn't rush her.
She slid an arm gently around Julie's waist, steady and warm, and helped her to her feet with a care that felt almost protective.
Julie leaned into her without realizing it, her body yielding, as though the strength in her legs no longer fully belonged to her.
"Slowly," Lisa murmured, her voice soft, close to Julie's ear.
They began walking toward the stairs.
The hallway stretched ahead of them, longer than it had ever seemed before.
The soft glow from the wall lights cast long shadows across the polished floor, their footsteps quiet but echoing faintly in the stillness.
Somewhere in the distance, a clock ticked steady, indifferent.
Julie's steps were small and careful.
Each one looked like it needed thought… effort.
Her fingers curled slightly at her side, brushing against the fabric of her dress as if grounding herself.
