Elena woke up to the soft buzz of her alarm at five, as usual. She stretched her arms wide above her head, feeling the lingering sleep loosen from her body, and reached out for her phone lying neatly on her bed. Her fingers brushed the smooth surface, and she tapped the screen to silence the alarm.

As she unlocked it, her eyes immediately caught a message from Mr. Andrei Williams. The words made her heart leap: “You can call. You are free to call.” A gentle smile spread across her face. ...