Ryan woke up to Adalia licking his arm. At his feet, Jasmine was playing with the laces of the shoe he had forgotten to take off the night before. His back, shoulders, and neck ached from having slept in the chair, but he hadn't been able to bring himself to move. He had sat there all night, eyes fixed on the door, waiting. Hoping it would swing open. But it didn't.
Outside, the sky was already brightening to welcome the new day, and the pale light washing over the room made the emptiness stand out more. The air was fresh, carrying the scent of rain, but also cold. Ryan sneezed, his whole body shuddering, then lifted his hand to check his watch. 6:02 AM.
