CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIX – CROSSING STATE LINES

But as the bus rolled out of town, she couldn't shake the feeling that something fundamental had shifted between her and Florian. His earlier words echoed in her mind: "What I want is for us to survive. Everything else is secondary." Was survival enough? Could love flourish in the constant shadow of fear and mistrust? She glanced at Florian, who was staring out the window, his expression unreadable behind his fake beard. She longed to reach out, to bridge the growing gap between them. But something held her back – a fear that if she pushed too hard, she might lose him entirely. As the Illinois landscape faded into the darkness outside, Cassie made a silent vow. She would find a way to remind Florian of who they were, of the love that had driven them to this point. She wouldn't let fear and paranoia destroy what they had built together. The bus rumbled on through the night, carrying them towards an uncertain future. But for now, at least, they were moving forward. Away from the imme