It was just as real here as it was on the other side of that hill. She knew that.

Not seeing the ruins wouldn't bring her friends back to life. She had nightmares about that night, ones that wouldn't disappear if she never saw this place again.

It hadn't worked so far, after all.

She stopped just short of the summit, drawing an unsteady breath.

She could do this. She could. And she wasn't backing out now. She just needed a few moments to steady herself.

"I'm ... so glad you're here," she said softly.

She would never have made it this far alone.