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On the last shift before dawn, a retired porter brings Iona a lantern he can no longer bear to keep. Returning its light should be routine. But the archive holds a voice neither of them expected. A ten-page opening chapter about memory, grief, and choosing what comes next.
Page 1
Panel 1: A wide view of the lamplit archive, with Iona at the counter. Caption: “Bellwether Station. One minute to midnight.” Panel 2: A gloved hand closes a ledger. Iona: “Last collection.” Panel 3: Bram enters through the doorway carrying a glowing lantern. Bram: “Then I am just in time.”
Page 2
Panel 1: Bram sets the lantern between himself and Iona. Bram: “I would like to leave a sunrise.” Panel 2: Iona looks at him. Iona: “Whose?” Panel 3: Bram lowers his eyes beside the lantern. Bram: “The last one I saw with Ada.”
Page 3
Panel 1: Iona slides a blank cream card across the counter. Iona: “We only keep what you choose to give.” Panel 2: Bareheaded Bram holds his cap against his chest. Bram: “Will I forget her?” Panel 3: Iona answers calmly. Iona: “No. Only this one morning.”