Morning in Y City arrived without ceremony.
A dull gray light slipped through the thin curtains, mixing with the hum of distant traffic and the occasional shout from the street below. The building creaked in familiar ways, pipes knocking softly as if reminding everyone inside that it was still standing, still working, still holding together just enough.
Daniel was already awake.
He sat on the edge of the bed, lacing his boots slowly, careful not to make too much noise. His body ached in that quiet, constant way that had long since stopped being worth mentioning. Another day, another shift, another stretch of hours that would blur together until evening.
He glanced over his shoulder.
Emily was still asleep, one arm draped loosely over the blanket. Beside her, Evan lay on his back, eyes open, staring at the ceiling like he always did when he woke up.
Quiet.
Too quiet sometimes.
Daniel stood and walked over, crouching beside the bed.
"Hey, buddy," he said softly.
