Adieu

She leaned in, kissed his forehead, and whispered, "Adieu, Grandfather."

Elara pulled back, tears welling. "But that sounds like you’re leaving forever!" She leaned in, kissed his forehead, and whispered,

"Then I'll say 'see you soon,'" Elara replied, her voice trembling. She leaned in

One autumn, Elara's grandfather, the village’s oldest clockmaker, grew very ill. He called her to his bedside and handed her a small, tarnished silver compass. "I’m going on a long journey, Elara," he whispered. kissed his forehead