“Hhhhuhhhh…” I released a long, drawn-out yawn, stretching out every muscle in my body. My jaw stretched to its full length, and my arms reached so high that I felt the tendons tugging at my shoulders. The muscles around my neck and shoulders tingled, and I gave in to the urge to stretch my back fully, pulling my arms down and twisting my neck until I felt a satisfying pop. The stiffness melted away with each movement, and a faint sigh of relief escaped my lips as the last remnants of sleep faded. Today, I sensed an unfamiliar calm, a weight lifting off me, leaving a hint of peace in its wake.
The night before, I’d finally slept in my bed, wrapped in the familiar softness of my blankets, cocooned in a warmth I’d sorely missed. It was a welcome contrast to the restless, haunted sleep I’d h
