Monday morning broke soft and quiet, and for the first time in months, Sage didn’t have anywhere to be.
Her eyes blinked open at 3 a.m. out of habit. No alarm. No urgency. Just her internal clock, still ticking like it always did. She rolled over and closed her eyes again, letting sleep pull her under until the sun crept through her curtains.
By the time she woke for real, it was just after seven. Max was already sitting by the door, tail thumping, eyes hopeful.
“Alright, bud,” Sage murmured, swinging her legs out of bed. “Let’s go.”
She pulled on a pair of leggings and a faded sports bra, tied her hair into a loose bun, and laced up her running shoes. Max gave an eager bark as they stepped outside into the cool morning air.
The world was still—no traffic, no noise—just them. Her body
