The next morning I awoke to find myself alone in the bedroom. A folded sheet of paper rested on Valen's pillow. I plucked it up and examined it.
I thought I'd let you sleep in today. There's some clothes in the bathroom for you. Meet us in the sitting room when you're ready.
Valen
I smiled at his consideration and stretched as I rose from the bed. I wasn't sure what time it was because there were no windows in the room and I couldn't look outside to make an approximation. I breezed into the bathroom and saw the pile of clothes Valen had mentioned laying neatly on the counter.
Suddenly, pain squeezed my heart as memories of Aunt Maddie's eyes flashed across my brain. I gasped for air and clung to the wall for support. I had almost let myself forget about the horrors of yesterday.
Al
