It was Saturday morning, and even though the alarm hadn't gone off at seven, Ethan Gray stirred awake naturally, his internal clock kicking in like clockwork. Outside his window, the cicadas in the mulberry tree were already buzzing away, their chorus a sure sign that the day would be bright and sunny, the kind that painted Riverport in golden hues.
After splashing water on his face and brushing his teeth, Ethan slipped into his shorts and a lightweight T-shirt, perfect for a quick workout. He stepped out into the courtyard, the cool morning air nipping at his skin, carrying faint scents of blooming golden osmanthus from nearby gardens. The courtyard was a quiet oasis amid the urban sprawl, with dew-kissed grass underfoot and the distant hum of the city starting to rev up. He jogged ten l
