Serena took the sleeping pill. Whether it was the warmth of the room or the effectiveness of the medication, or perhaps she was just exhausted, she fell asleep within three seconds of closing her eyes.

This sleep was so sound that she didn't even dream, a rare good night's rest in recent years.

When she woke up the next morning, it was already past nine.

The sound of birds chirping woke her. Living on a high floor at Graphite Square, she hadn't heard such lively birdsong in ...