"Unraveling the Past"

"Where is he?" Avan asked Ender, his voice gentle but firm, cutting through the silence that had settled over the room. Ashley's eyes widened in alarm as she shot Avan a pleading look, hoping he would back down, but it was too late. Ender's gaze had already locked onto Avan's, a mixture of curiosity and wariness sparking in his eyes. Ashley's heart sank as she realized where this conversation was headed. She had been hoping to avoid this topic, to shield Ender from the painful memories that lingered, but Avan's question had opened the floodgates. She felt a surge of anxiety, unsure of how Ender would respond, or how Avan would react to his answer. Ender's eyes dropped, and he looked down at his hands, his voice barely above a whisper. "He's in heaven," he said, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Mommy said he went to a special place where he can watch over us." Ashley's throat constricted as she watched Ender's face, his expression a mask of sadness and longing. Avan's eyes softened, and he leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "I'm sorry, Ender," he said, his voice filled with compassion. "I can only imagine how hard it must be for you to lose someone you love." Ender looked up at Avan, his eyes searching, as if seeking validation or understanding. Ashley felt a pang of guilt, wondering if she should have prepared Ender for this conversation, or if she should have intervened sooner. She glanced at Avan, hoping he would know when to stop, but he seemed to be driven by a desire to understand Ender's story. As the conversation continued, Ashley couldn't shake the feeling that they were venturing into uncharted territory, one that would change everything. The air in the room seemed to vibrate with tension, as if the weight of Ender's words hung suspended, waiting to be acknowledged. Avan's eyes never left Ender's face, his expression a picture of empathy and concern. Ashley watched, her heart heavy with emotion, as Ender began to open up, to share a part of himself that she had never seen before. In that moment, Ashley realized that Avan's question had been more than just a simple inquiry - it had been a catalyst, one that would set off a chain of events that would change their lives forever. As she looked at Avan, she saw a determination in his eyes, a sense that he would see this through, no matter where it led. And Ashley couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead, and how they would navigate the complex web of emotions and memories that Ender's story would unravel.