Glass trembled—
not from cold
from anticipation
My reflection blinked independently
eyes burning with knowledge
I had not earned yet
She reached forward first
Fingers slipped through silver
as easily as through fog
My breath fractured;
future met present in one gesture
When she stepped out
floorboards groaned under her certainty
I saw in her the life
I was meant to claim
She offered her hand
I took it
We merged into someone new