Rose was most excited for the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. “I’ve waited for this since I was, like, five,” she said. Lucas chuckled as she tugged his hand, dragging him toward the entrance. The line was long, but Rose barely noticed. Her eyes were already lit with anticipation.
The boat dipped into darkness. Animatronic pirates danced under spotlights. Rose clutched his arm, whispering facts about each scene. Lucas laughed, taking photos of her, soaking in her joy. Then the ride curved around a corner—and everything inside him suddenly shifted.