The Sky Hid

As the evening sun dipped behind the horizon, its amber light lingered like a quiet goodbye, brushing the sky in soft strokes of gold and lavender. Inside the grand hall, laughter shimmered like music, and the chandeliers scattered their glow like stardust across polished floors.

The prize-giving ceremony had begun.

Mora's team sat near the front, dressed in their best, the weight of their victory nestled somewhere between pride and exhaustion. Their names echoed through the hall, and they rose as one-hands brushing, shoulders bumping, hearts still catching up.

They stepped onto the stage under a shower of applause, the trophy catching the light like a second sun.

But even with all that brilliance around her... Mora felt a quiet cold.

She smiled. She waved. She bowed.

But inside, something didn't quite settle.

Back in the crowd, tucked into the gentle noise of celebration, she leaned toward her friends. Her voice barely rose above the hush of velvet gowns and clinking glasses.

"Hey... do any of you feel kind of... weird?"

Alex tilted his head, eyes curious. "Weird how? Like, 'Did we actually win?' weird, or 'I forgot breakfast again' weird?"

Mora huffed, half a laugh. "Neither. I mean-look at us. We won. I should be screaming, right? Everyone's cheering. We made it. And all I can think is... why does it feel like none of it matters? Am I sick?"

Carel glanced at her with warm eyes, her voice soft. "You're not sick, dumbo. Maybe your heart's just tired. Sometimes it takes longer to arrive than the rest of you."

Mora rubbed the back of her neck. "I don't regret it. I'm proud of us-for what we did. I just thought I'd feel more. Something better. But it's like I'm standing in the middle of a celebration-and I'm not even here."

Ana, usually distant, actually slowed to walk beside her. "That's not weird," she said quietly. "You've been through hell these past few days. Everything's been so chaotic-maybe your brain hasn't caught up with your body yet."

"You think I broke my brain?" Mora smirked.

"No," Ana replied, eyes still ahead. "But I think you might've forgotten how to rest. That's not nothing."

Alex nudged Mora's shoulder. "You're probably just burnt out. You've been holding this team together with spit and sheer willpower. Now that it's over, maybe your brain's like, 'Okay, shutting down emotions now! You good? Great. Nap time!'"

Mora gave a small smile. "So I'm lagging behind? Emotionally delayed?"

Alex grinned. "More like a toaster that's been running nonstop and needs a vacation. A brave little toaster."

Ana groaned. "Stop with the toaster jokes, idiot."

"What? Toasters are important," Alex said, hands up. "Especially to this team. And I was so excited earlier I forgot to eat!"

Ana turned away, visibly annoyed.

Carel giggled, brushing Mora's arm. "Look... it's okay to feel off. You've done so much for all of us. You deserve to feel everything in your own time, not just when the world expects you to."

Mora looked down at her hands. "I thought winning would feel like a sunrise. But it's just... another step. A little heavier than the last."

"Let's change the topic," Ana offered, a rare softness in her voice. "Might help."

"Good idea," Carel nodded. "Let's make her smile. Who's starting?"

They settled into a quieter corner, where golden light pooled gently and voices faded into a lull.