to see him again befo

he typed, organized, filed, and pretended her skin wasn't still humming. When seven came, she packe

toward his offic

That strange, almost-electric stillness. The subtle way

should have c

the "Lobby" button, but the doors remained

et, still in his shirt and slacks, still composed. He wasn't

felt earlier in his office.

throat. "Were

en, after a short

didn'

elevator sensor. Maybe it needed movement to register, a shift in weight, a step forwa

button again, slowly. "It

akes a second for the sensors

explanation. Just

inally bega

completely, his voice r

ed to log you

"Yes. Just

ors sl

lize she had been hol

was short, but her t

city blur past in streaks of red lights and faint rain. She wasn't replaying the pa

g a silence. A v

ngertips together

she was left-han

n't an

lt like s

background. She sat on her bed in an oversized cotton shirt, her laptop pro

d have be

didn't f

dule, but her mind was wide awake. Still in

cursor. The light from the screen made the room feel c

lly, sh

y

thing. Even the

he looks. It's

pa

n a

nce is how h

, I keep gi

shut the laptop, and

once. A system notification. Not

over her shoulder and tr

quiet glances and words that sa

idn't

ust w

st the words, but the way he said them.

her side and c

g in her chest

list

l wa