Clang! Clang!
The sharp sound of metal colliding sliced through the silence of the night.
"…What…?"
It was late—so late that the sky beyond the window had long since turned pitch-black. Elena stirred beneath her blanket, her brows knitting together as the noise dragged her out of a deep sleep.
Clang!
This time, it was louder.
She rubbed her eyes, her mind still hazy as she slowly sat up and looked around the dimly lit room. Moonlight spilled faintly through the curtains, casting pale shadows across the floor.
Beside her, Lisa was fast asleep.
"…Lisa?"
Elena whispered her name, but there was no response. Lisa's breathing was steady and calm, completely undisturbed.
She can't hear it? Elena wondered, puzzled.
The metallic sounds continued—rhythmic, deliberate, unmistakably the sound of weapons striking one another.
There was no way anyone could sleep through that.
Elena tried lying back down, pulling the blanket over herself and squeezing her eyes shut.
