I moved the duvet off my body and dragged myself out of bed.For a few seconds, I just sat at the edge of the bed, still and tired. My mind was blank, my body drained. I rubbed my palms together slowly, trying to fix my strength, trying to feel human again.

A long breath left my lips. I exhaled as if that would somehow push the sleep out of my bones. It didn't.

I slid my feet into my flip-flops and stood up, yawning as I stepped out of the room. The house was quiet, only faint murmurs of morning ...