MACEY
I woke slowly. It was so late already, the breeze creeping through the blinds painting stripes across the bedroom floor. For a second, I felt almost normal, almost like the chaos outside didn’t exist.
My limbs were heavy, my mind foggy, and for a brief moment, I let myself think maybe the world could just wait while I collected myself. Then I noticed her.
A woman was standing at the edge of the bed, looking down at me with a gentle, almost maternal smile.
My heart jumped into my throat. Panic surged through me, and I bolted upright, my hands gripping the sheets for balance. “Who are you?” I demanded, my voice shaking more than I intended.
The woman’s smile didn’t falter. Her eyes were kind, warm, and calm. “My name’s Melissa,” she said softly, her voice steady and unthreat
