Em breaks

Em climbs into the bath fully dressed, too exhausted and defeated to care. The water does not cleanse her so much as swallow the last of her strength. Sam enters with buckets and supplies, still trying to hold the family together by force of will, while the boys stand behind him, dirty, frightened, and silent.

This is not a moment of comfort. It is the first time the twins see their mother truly broken. The journey has stripped away dignity, certainty, and pride, leaving only survival.