POV: Kenny

“The world feels like it’s waiting for me to blink.”

I do not know how long I have been awake before I realize that I am awake.

There is no sharp moment where sleep ends and day begins. It is more like floating to the surface of water, slowly, carefully, until the air touches my face and I remember how to breathe again. My eyes open, but I do not move, I listen first.

The house is quiet, not empty, not dead just holding its breath.

I can hear the fire settling in the hearth ...