Stretching my stiff limbs, I tried to shake off the heaviness of sleep before trudging toward the small bathroom. The dim fluorescent light flickered slightly, casting a pale glow over the cramped space. The sink was directly in front of me, a dull-white basin with a rust-stained faucet. To the right, the toilet sat uncomfortably close, its seat cracked in places, and just beyond that was the open shower. A flimsy, half-length curtain hung from a metal rod, barely offering any privacy.
I turned the faucet, bracing myself as the first blast of ice-cold water hit my skin. A sharp breath escaped my lips as the chill ran through me, shocking me fully awake. I had a sinking feeling there was no hot water in this place, but I didn’t dare ask. The last thing I wanted was to draw attention to mys
