Aiden's Point of View
The cheap motel room is dimly lit, the only illumination spilling in from the flickering neon sign outside the window. I sit on the edge of the bed, elbows on my knees, staring blankly at the muted television playing some late night show I haven't been paying attention to. The stale scent of cigarettes clings to the walls, even though I don’t smoke.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand.
I ignore it at first, probably another call from Drake or Nicole, maybe even Mark. They’ve been relentless. I rub my eyes, the bags beneath them sore and heavy from yet another night of no sleep. I haven’t slept properly in over a week. Not since I walked away from it all.
The phone buzzes again, this time followed by a soft chime. A different tone. A news alert.
I lean over slowly a
