That night, dinner passed quietly. The only sound was the clinking of spoons against ceramic plates with cracked edges. The menu was the same as that morning—leftover bread and reheated vegetable soup—but to Johnny, it tasted far more delicious.
He watched his father, Garrick, eating heartily despite the exhaustion etched on his face. He watched his mother, Marilla, smiling as she poured water into Johnny's glass.
"They're alive," Johnny thought. "They know nothing of demons, of the apocalypse, or of cruel gods. They only think about tomorrow."
Their ignorance was a luxury. And Johnny felt grateful to sit there, a part of that peaceful unknowing.
"Finish up, Son. You worked hard all day," Garrick said, patting Johnny's shoulder. "I'm proud of you. It's rare for you not to complain about being tired."
Johnny nodded, his mouth full of bread. "I want to be strong, Dad. So I can help you more."
Garrick let out a clear, hearty laugh—a sound that made the wrinkles on his face fade slightly. That laughter was the sweetest music Johnny had heard since the screams of the Eclipse.
After finishing dinner and washing the dishes (which surprised his mother once again), Johnny went to his room. He closed the door, then sat on the edge of the bed, leaning back against the cold wall.
It was silent. The only sound was the hum of the streetlights outside his window.
Johnny placed his hand over his chest.
THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.
His heart beat strongly. This morning, this pounding had been the rhythm of traumatic fear. But now... it felt different.
He touched his neck again. Smooth. There was no Brand of Sacrifice. No curse mark that would draw demons in every night. He didn't need to sleep with one eye open. He didn't need to clutch a sword, afraid of being devoured in his sleep.
"I'm not there," he whispered to the darkness of the room. "I'm not in the Eclipse. Griffith isn't here. Casca... I hope you're safe there."
The guilt of leaving his world behind remained, but another feeling was beginning to grow stronger: Fortune.
He had been given a second chance. He had a roof over his head. He had parents who loved him.
"I'm so lucky..." he murmured, a single tear rolling down his cheek before he quickly wiped it away.
Johnny lay back. He stared at the ceiling. "Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I will start repaying this good fortune."