Morning arrived gently, the kind of morning that seemed to move slowly with intention, as though the world itself wanted Elena to rest a little longer. A soft glow filtered through the thin curtains of her room, bathing the walls in pale, warm light. Outside, the early birds were chirping, and the faint sounds of city life stirred in the distance. Inside the room, Elena lay curled under her blanket, her breathing steady, her mind drifting somewhere between dreams and consciousness.

Her alarm ...