The sunlight filtered in softly through the curtains, spilling a golden haze across the bedsheets. Artur stirred, hand instinctively reaching toward the other side of the bed— Empty.
His eyes blinked open slowly. The sheets beside him were still faintly warm, a quiet sign that Billy had been there not long ago. But now… gone.
He sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, listening.
A faint clatter. Muffled laughter. The scent of something toasty—bread maybe? And… tomatoes?
Artur smiled faintly.
He swung his legs over the bed, standing with a low sigh before heading to the sink to wash up.
The cool water shocked him into full awareness, but it helped.
He stared at his reflection for a brief second, then turned and stepped out of the room.
The hallway glowed with early light, and the laughter from the kitchen pulled him closer.
Mr. Dand's chuckle came first, warm and full. Then Billy's voice—light, a little rushed, like he was trying to get something right.
