I had fallen asleep on the couch the night before, sometime after aimlessly scrolling through forums and half-playing a few games.
I didn't do much—just drifted from one post to the next, eyes half-lidded, mind running on fumes. Something about that night felt… off. Like a film of lethargy had wrapped itself around my body and refused to let go.
I hadn't even made it to the bed. Just sprawled out on the cushions and passed out, controller still warm in my hand.
The next morning, I woke to the rhythmic crunching of someone chewing. Loud. Constant.
I cracked one eye open and saw Kaelira sitting cross-legged in front of the low table, happily munching away on breakfast.
She was chewing with chipmunk-like intensity, cheeks puffed slightly, eyes glued to a projection screen that displayed local news headlines like they were world-shattering revelations.
For a second, she reminded me of a rabbit—skittish, focused, annoyingly cute.
