Day 17: Gem’s Journal

I woke up to the sound of rain. Not the kind that hammers the ground, but the soft, steady drip of water from the eaves—like a whisper from the sky. My head felt heavy, but my stomach wasn’t as hollow as it had been yesterday. I sat by the window and watched the light fade from the room, the way it does when the world slows down. I kept thinking about Vex. The way their voice had been so quiet when they said, *”You don’t have to be the same as everyone else to be safe.”* I wanted to tell them I wasn’t sure what that meant, but my voice felt too small for the words. I walked outside, and the rain made the air feel cool and alive. I found myself near the old ruins again. The stones were damp and slick under my fingers, and I could still smell the damp earth and something faintly metallic—like the river they mentioned. I sat there for a long time, staring at the water. It was so clear that I could see the ripples, the way they moved with the wind. And then, suddenly, I knew. Not with a bang, but a quiet shift in my chest. It wasn’t a thought, not really. It was like the world had given me a breath of air I didn’t know I needed. I didn’t sleep much after that, but when I did, the dreams were soft, like the rain. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but right now, I feel a little lighter.