Kim sat at the edge of the canyon and put her backpack next to her. Days of hiking led her to this spot, where she could just look down and out without worrying about seeing another person. Especially not anyone who knew her.

If she spoke, her voice would carry and she wanted silence.

She missed silence. At work, there were ringing phones and the constant humming of the computers. People calling for her attention, talking to her angrily when things were going wrong and above it all the rapid beat of her heart every time the phone didn't ring or someone wanted to talk to her in private.

Here, though, was nature. She touched the rock beneath her hand and it was real.

Wrapping her arms around her knees she stared out into the horizon. Somewhere beyond the reach of her vision was ground zero. Three years ago, she'd watched the sky light up with a false sun. Now, it barely played into her nightmares.

So peaceful and oddly comforting the knowledge that no matter how badly they screwed up things the world would continue on.

Sometimes, she wished she could bring her dad on these hikes. She would tell him that he didn't have to try so hard, he couldn't save everyone, but the rocky cliffs were forever.

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