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Search of Tempest
Chapter 7 ''Angry president''

Chapter 7 ''Angry president''

Walking home with my bicycle, my mind was a whirlpool of thoughts. It has been a while since I last visited the mountains, and now I am going with my friends. Albert's café shifting too, and then there was Kiera and her challenge, which kept gnawing at the back of my mind. There was something about her that I wanted to check, and I need to get home fast.

The streetlights flickered on as the evening grew darker. The cool breeze brushed against my face, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers. My phone vibrated, breaking my train of thought. I took it out and saw a message from Alex.

"Hey Tyson, can you meet me right now? I got something important to discuss," he wrote.

Executor job? What could it be? I already have a lot on my hands. Today was submission day, so I guessed it have something to do with that. But right now, I had something else on my mind. I need to know if it was urgent.

I sent him a text: "Can it wait?"

He saw the message but didn't respond for three minutes. What's up with this pause? He's online, though. Then a notification came through.

"Yep, it can, but there is a time limit," Alex texted.

I replied, "So what is the time limit?"

"You have to meet by Saturday," he responded.

Okay, this is perfect. I'll go straight to his house after the challenge. I texted him back, "Okay, then I will come on Saturday evening."

"Okay, see you on Saturday," he replied.

As I continued walking, the familiar sights and sounds of my neighborhood filled me with a sense of comfort. The corner store with its flickering neon sign, the park where children played, and the distant hum of traffic—all these details made up my daily life.

As I continued walking, the familiar sight of my apartment complex came into view. The soft glow from the windows cast a welcoming light on the pathway. I reached the door, fumbled with my keys for a moment, and finally unlocked it.

Stepping inside, I was greeted by the comforting silence of my home. I turned on the lights, illuminating the cozy living room. The scent of the lavender air freshener I had placed last week lingered in the air. Well Iris's suggestions never disappointed me. I put my bag on the table, feeling the weight of the day lifting off my shoulders. My stomach rumbled, now that I think about it I hadn't eaten much today. I should eat something but before that...

I took off my blazer and headed to my room, flipping on the lights and powering up my computer. Settling comfortably into my chair, I glanced outside the window. The night had fallen, and the city was a sea of lights, creating a mesmerizing view. The contrast between the dark sky and the illuminated buildings was almost poetic.

After a few seconds, my computer was ready. I turned my focus back to the screen. "Now then, let's see," I muttered, opening our high school website, which was available only to students and teachers. I navigated to the student evaluation section, a tool usually used by teachers to track academic and physical performance and other information about student, but I had my own reasons for accessing it.

I entered Kiera's name, and her profile appeared. Even in her picture, she looked serious. I sighed, thinking to myself,Here we go,and started my little research. My fingers flew over the keyboard as I delved into her records, for conformation and also if I could find any clues or patterns.

After some time, I reached a conclusion. "Yep, I knew it. So she is the one." Then something caught my eye. "Wait a second, isn't this...?" I muttered, analyzing the possibilities. A sense of unease settled over me. What I was seeing didn't add up. The pieces of the puzzle were fitting together in a way that hinted at something much bigger. intersting maybe i should-

Just then, the doorbell rang, shattering the silence and my concentration. I frowned, wondering who could be visiting at this hour. The doorbell rang again, more insistent this time. I quickly turned off my computer and got up from my desk to see who it was. The doorbell kept ringing continuously, a pattern I recognized.

"Wait, I know this pattern," I muttered to myself. I opened the door and saw Iris standing there, wearing her casual dress—the one she always wore when she was at home—and carrying her bag. She looked a little angry.

She looked a little angry [https://img.wattpad.com/f4188514276236d545de8a84fb2a27298a8a0d68/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4470433550727359466c712d51513d3d2d313438303837343731372e313766616136336363363065633064363538333137333735363037372e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Yep she looks angry..this is bad.

"Geez, what took you so long? Wait, why are you still wearing your school uniform?" Iris said, her tone a mix of annoyance and concern.

I sighed. "Long story. Come in." I stepped aside, letting her enter, and closed the door behind her.

"So, why did you come over?" I asked.

I felt Iris's intense gaze as she crossed her arms, her expression a mix of concern and annoyance.

"Before that, tell me why you left without telling me," she demanded. "I thought we were going home together. I literally searched the whole school and asked everyone about you!"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Why bother asking everyone and searching the school when you have a phone?"

"Check your phone, genius!" Iris retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Phone? I wondered, fishing it out of my pocket. As I glanced at the screen, my eyes widened in shock.

*58 missed calls?!*

My mind raced, trying to piece together what had happened. *When I entered the cafe, I turned my phone to Do Not Disturb mode so I could relax without interruption. When I left, I was checking my phone, and then Alex messaged me... I noticed a huge log of notifications, but I never thought they were missed calls. But seriously, 58?!*

Iris's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "So, how many missed calls are there?" she asked, her tone dangerously calm.

"Um... huh... that's—" I stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

She didn't show any mercy, pressing on with a cold aura surrounding her. "Well?"

I swallowed hard. "Um... 58," I admitted sheepishly.

"And why did you ignore my calls?" The temperature seemed to drop a few degrees as she spoke.

"I have good reasons for that!" I said hastily, trying to defend myself.

Iris's eyes narrowed. "Okay, I'll hear that later. Now, tell me why you left."

I took a deep breath, knowing I had a lot of explaining to do.

Ah, so that is the main reason she is upset. "Well, I thought you might be busy with student council work, so I left with my friends," I explained.

Iris pouted, her irritation softening but not disappearing entirely. "You're always with them."

I scratched the back of my head, feeling a bit guilty. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to make you feel left out, I promise I won't do it again, okay?" I said, trying to sound innocent.

Iris's expression softened slightly, but she still looked a bit miffed. "Fine, I forgive you. But at least inform me first, okay?" she said.

"I promise," I said quickly, an idea flashing through my mind. "And I'll treat you your favraiote strawberry crepe sometime, how's that?"

The moment the words left my mouth, I saw Iris's eyes light up, her earlier frustration evaporating as if it had never existed. "Really?!" she exclaimed, the sparkle in her eyes making it clear that I had hit the jackpot.

A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. A crepe was the right call, I thought to myself, feeling rather pleased with my quick thinking. But then, my curiosity got the better of me. "Why did you bring your bag?" I asked, nodding toward the worn backpack slung over her shoulder.

"I came here to study in peace," she replied, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Don't you have your own room for that?" I asked

She huffed, crossing her arms. "Yeah, but my parents are watching some emotional movie on TV. They're so into it that they didn't even notice the volume was loud enough to wake the dead. It was blasting into my room, and when I told them to lower it, they just ignored me!" She shook her head in exasperation. "So, I thought of your place. It's quieter here."

Is that really the reason? I wondered, suspicion tugging at the back of my mind. There was something in her voice that didn't quite add up, but all I could say was, "I see."

Right on cue, my stomach growled, loud enough to cut through the tension. I hadn't realized just how hungry I was until that very moment.

Iris glanced at me, a small smile playing on her lips. "Are you hungry?" she asked, her tone softening.

"Yeah," I admitted. "I was about to grab something to eat."

"Why don't you take a bath and freshen up first? I'll whip something up for us," she offered, already heading toward the kitchen without waiting for my response.

"Thanks," I called out, appreciating the gesture. I headed to the bathroom, my mind already drifting toward the thought of a hot shower. As I began undressing, Iris's voice rang out from the kitchen.

"Hey Tyson, what do you wanna eat?" she shouted.

"Anything will do!" I yelled back, stepping under the warm spray of water that poured from the showerhead.

"Okay, got it!" she responded, the sound of pots and pans clanging in the background.

The hot water was like a balm, washing away the stress of the day. As I stood there, letting the steam envelop me, my thoughts drifted to Iris again. What was she cooking? I vaguely remembered there were some eggs in the fridge—maybe she was making something simple like scrambled eggs? Or maybe she had something more elaborate in mind?

As I pondered, I finished my shower, feeling more refreshed with each passing second. Wrapping a towel around my waist, I stepped out of the bathroom. The aroma wafting through the apartment was mouthwatering, and my stomach growled in response. **Smells good,** I thought, following the scent toward the kitchen.

Passing by the mirror, I caught a glimpse of my reflection and paused. During these past five years I have changed a bit my body is slim yet quite muscler, the result of relentless training. I have grown stronger, that's for sure, but deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that 'Is this really good enough I don't think so.'

I have learned a lot of things, Combat training, about guns, shooting drills—I'd been through it , and also I discovered something about myself, something elusive that I still couldn't fully understand. My strength? My instincts? I wasn't sure how to describe it. My reflexes. They were... unnatural. Sometimes, my body would move before I even realized it, reacting to things that should've been impossible to avoid.

The first time it happened, both Cedric and I were taken aback. He even ran tests on my reaction time afterward, but for some reason, he never showed me the results. He just said something about having potential and joked that I could be an F1 racer if I wanted. It was a throwaway comment, but I couldn't help but feel there was something he wasn't telling me.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I dressed quickly and made my way to the kitchen. The aroma of whatever Iris was cooking was making my stomach growl with renewed hunger, each step toward the kitchen intensifying the need to satisfy the gnawing emptiness in my belly.

When I entered the kitchen, I found Iris standing by the stove, her back to me as she expertly maneuvered a pan over the burner. The sizzling sound of food cooking filled the room, and I caught a glimpse of her adding the final touches to what looked like a perfectly golden batch of fried rice. The scent of garlic, onions, and soy sauce mingled in the air, and I couldn't help but take a deep breath, savoring the aroma.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Fried rice, huh?" I asked, leaning against the doorway with a smirk. "You really went all out."

Iris turned her head slightly, flashing me a quick smile before returning her focus to the stove. "Well, you said anything would do, so I figured I'd make something quick but tasty," she replied, her voice light with a hint of pride.

I watched her work for a moment, admiring the way she moved with such ease and confidence in the kitchen. She wasn't just throwing ingredients together—she was crafting a meal with care, something that was both nourishing and comforting. It was a side of Iris that I didn't see often, and it made me appreciate her even more.

The kitchen was filled with the enticing aroma of sizzling vegetables and savory spices. Tyson walked in, immediately drawn to the smell. "Smells amazing," he remarked, moving closer to Iris, who was standing by the stove. She was wearing his apron, which somehow looked better on her than it ever had on him. There was something about the way she wore it, with her hair slightly tousled and her focused expression, that made her look effortlessly charming.

"Need any help?" Tyson offered, leaning against the counter.

Iris glanced at him and smiled. "Yeah, could you cut some spring onions for me?" she asked, her tone casual yet appreciative.

"Roger that," Tyson replied, giving her a mock salute before heading to the fridge. He grabbed a bunch of spring onions and moved to the sink to wash them. The cool water ran over his hands as he rinsed the dirt off the onions, his mind wandering slightly as he worked.

"Hey, where are the spoons?" Iris asked suddenly, her voice breaking his thoughts.

Tyson paused, looking around the kitchen. The drawer that usually held the utensils was empty. "Must be somewhere," he muttered, still focused on washing the spring onions.

Iris, undeterred, started searching through the upper wall cabinets near where Tyson stood. She slid the doors open, rummaging through the first two rows without much success. "They're usually in here," she said, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.

As she stretched to reach the top row, the wooden knife rack on the shelf above started to wobble. It had been teetering ever since she began her search, the motion causing it to inch closer to the edge. Iris, oblivious to the potential danger, continued her search, finally finding the spoons. "Got them!" she declared triumphantly.

But as she knelt down to retrieve plates from the lower cabinet, the knife rack finally gave in to gravity. In that split second, Tyson's body moved on its own. He lunged forward his hand shooting out to catch the falling rack. With his index finger, he deftly caught the tip of a knife handle that had almost slipped out.

See? This is what I was talking about—abnormal reflexes,

Iris, still preoccupied, didn't notice what had just happened. But the soft clatter of the knife rack settling back into place caught her attention. She turned her head, puzzled. "What was that noi—"

Before she could finish, Tyson lightly tapped her on the head with the butt of the knife he was holding. "Ow! What was that for?" she exclaimed, rubbing the spot where he had tapped her.

"Be careful in the kitchen, idiot," Tyson chided, though there was no real anger in his voice. "That rack was about to fall straight onto your head."

Still focused on his task, Tyson resumed cutting the spring onions, the very knife that had nearly caused an accident now slicing through the vegetables with precision. His mind, however, was still processing the close call, even as he tried to play it off as nothing.

Iris blinked, her initial annoyance fading into a mix of surprise and realization. "I didn't even notice..." she mumbled, her voice carrying a hint of embarrassment.

"Exactly," Tyson replied, finally glancing up at her with a knowing smirk. "Just... be more aware, alright?

She pouted slightly, clearly not enjoying the lecture, but then her expression softened. "Thanks... for catching it." Tyson, already cutting the spring onions with the very knife he had caught, simply nodded. "Just try not to bring the whole kitchen down next time," he teased lightly, a small smile playing on his lips as he focused on his task.

Iris rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Yeah, yeah. I'll be more careful," she promised, returning to her cooking with a renewed sense of caution. Then tyson said ″Well you didn't had to go through the trouble to do all this you know″

She shrugged, not taking her eyes off the pan. "It's no trouble. Besides, I wanted to make sure you had something good to eat. You've been working hard on somthing lately, and I know you sometimes forget to take care of yourself."

Her words caught me off guard, and I felt a warmth spread through my chest. It wasn't often that someone showed such genuine concern for me, and it was... nice.

"Thanks, Iris," I said, my voice softer now. "I appreciate it."

She turned off the burner and began scooping the fried rice onto the plates. "It's nothing," she replied, but there was a gentle smile on her face as she handed me one of the plates. "Now, let's eat before it gets cold."

We carried our plates to the living room, where I plopped down on the sofa and grabbed the remote. Iris followed suit, settling in next to me. The living room was dimly lit, with only the soft glow of the TV casting shadows on the walls.I took a bite of the fried rice, and my taste buds were immediately hit with a burst of flavor—the perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet, with a hint of spice. It was delicious, and I found myself wondering how she managed to make something so simple taste this good.

"This is amazing," I said between bites, barely able to stop myself from shoveling the food into my mouth.

Iris giggled, clearly pleased with herself. "I'm glad you like it. My mom taught me how to make it when I was little. It's one of the few dishes I've actually mastered."

"You could've fooled me," I said with a grin. "This tastes like something you'd get at a fancy restaurant."

She blushed a little, clearly flattered by the compliment, but quickly changed the subject. "So, what were you up to before I showed up? You looked pretty serious when I came in."

I paused, thinking about the research I had been doing on Kiera, but decided it was best not to dive into that. "Just some school stuff," I said casually. "Nothing too exciting."

She looked at me with a hint of curiosity, but didn't press further. Instead, she took another bite of her fried rice, letting the conversation drift into more comfortable territory. The TV flickered to life, casting a warm glow over the room as Iris navigated through the channels. "You know," she said, pausing on a movie title, "this is the same movie my parents were watching earlier. "And you wanted to get away from this?" I asked

She shrugged, a small grin tugging at her lips. "I figured watching it with you would be better than watching it with them. Besides, I have my own works to do."

As we sat on the sofa, plates balanced on our laps, as the TV played the same movie that Iris's parents had been watching earlier—'Echoes of Yesterday' . It was one of those heavy dramas that was set during a war, with themes of love, loss, and the inevitable march of time. The story followed a soldier who had returned to his small town after the war, only to find that everything had changed—his friends, his family, and even his love.

As we ate, the movie pulled us in. The soldier's struggles to reconnect with the people he once knew, his painful memories of the battlefield, and the bittersweet moments of fleeting joy—all of it was portrayed with such raw emotion that it was hard not to get swept up in it.

I glanced over at Iris a few times, noticing how deeply she was invested in the movie. Her eyes were glued to the screen, her expression a mix of sadness and empathy as the soldier faced one heartbreak after another. Meanwhile, I was more focused on the fried rice, which was surprisingly good considering Iris had thrown it together on a whim.

Before I realized it, my plate was empty. I set it down on the coffee table and leaned back, still half-watching the movie. I noticed Iris's plate was also empty, and that's when I saw it—tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Hey, Iris... are you okay?" I asked, a little concerned.

She broke her focus from the TV, blinking as if coming out of a trance. "What is it?" she asked in a soft tone.

I pointed at her face. "You're crying."

She looked surprised, quickly raising a hand to her cheek. When she felt the wetness, her eyes widened in realization. "Damn it!" she muttered, a mix of embarrassment and frustration in her voice. "Even though we started watching it in the middle, it still made me cry..."

She wiped at her tears with the back of her hand, but they kept coming. I sighed and handed her my handkerchief. "Here."

She took it gratefully, dabbing at her eyes. "Thanks..."

I couldn't help but smile a little as I watched her struggle to regain her composure. Sure, the movie was sad enough to make anyone tear up, but for some reason, I hadn't shed a single tear. Maybe I just wasn't that kind of person—someone who got emotional over movies. Or maybe the war scenes hit too close to home in a different way, numbing my reactions.

With the movie winding down, and the credits beginning to roll, I decided it was time to shift gears. I reached for the remote and turned off the TV.

"Hey! Why'd you turn it off?" Iris protested, looking genuinely shocked.

"Why do you think?" I replied calmly. "The movie's over, the credits were rolling... and we finished our food."

"But it could have post-credit scenes!" she exclaimed, clearly disappointed. Sometimes I couldn't believe this girl.

I shook my head with a smirk. "I think you're here to study, right? Or did you forget about that?"

Her eyes widened again, this time in realization. "Oh, yeah... you're right." Her tone was so innocent that I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

'SHE FORGOT ABOUT THAT, DIDN'T SHE?!' I thought to myself, by how easily she got distracted.

"Alright, let's get to it," I said, standing up and gathering both plates. I glanced at Iris, who was still seated. "You can use my desk. I'll do the dishes and join you later."

Iris immediately shook her head. "No, let me do it," she insisted, already starting to rise from her chair.

I chuckled softly, waving her off. "No, I've got this. You go study. I'm sure you've got some student council work on your list too, right?"

She paused, a sigh escaping her lips as she realized she couldn't argue with that. "Agh, I guess I can't argue with you," she admitted, a little reluctantly, before heading toward my room.

As she left, I took the plates to the kitchen. The warm water and clinking of dishes filled the silence, offering a moment of calm in the midst of everything. I methodically washed the plates and the pan she had used, my thoughts wandering to how different things had become since we first met. Who would have thought we'd end up like this—sharing meals and silently supporting each other through the simplest of moments?

Once everything was clean and put away, I headed to my room. The door was slightly ajar, and as I pushed it open, I saw Iris seated at my desk, completely absorbed in her work. The soft glow of the desk lamp cast a warm light over her, highlighting the determined expression on her face.

I leaned against the doorway for a moment, just watching her. There was something almost comforting about seeing her so focused.

"You're really focused, huh?" I said, breaking the silence as I walked over to the bed and sat down.

She looked up, a little surprised to see me there. A small smile tugged at her lips. "Well, I have to be. The council doesn't run itself," she replied, though I could hear the weariness in her voice.

"Yeah, but don't push yourself too hard. You've been going non-stop all day," I said, concern creeping into my tone as I watched her return to her papers.

Iris shrugged, her eyes already back on the task at hand. "I know, but it's all part of the job."

Nodding, I pulled out my own work and sat on the floor with my back against the bed. The quiet that settled over the room was comforting, the only sounds being the soft rustling of papers and the occasional scratch of a pencil. Time seemed to slip by unnoticed as we worked side by side, the minutes blending seamlessly into hours.

Eventually, I heard the sound of Iris closing her last textbook with a satisfied sigh. She stretched, letting out a small yawn before turning to me.

"Finally done," she announced, a mix of relief and exhaustion in her voice.

"Nice work," I said, glancing up at her. "You really powered through it."

She grinned, clearly pleased with herself. "Yeah, but I'm beat. I'm feeling so sleepy... I'm just going to take a nap!" With that, she jumped into my bed, pulling the covers over herself.

"If you're that sleepy, why don't you just go home?" I said still focused in my book

Iris peeked out from under the blanket, pouting playfully. "Meanie! Is that how you treat a girl who worked really hard?"

"Alright, alright. You can take a rest," I said, shaking my head slightly. "But don't fall asleep. It's a pain to wake you up if you do."

Iris smirked, her playful nature shining through. "Oh? Will you carry me home in princess style if I fall asleep?" she teased, her eyes glinting with mischief.

"Don't talk like a fool," I responded calmly, my eyes still focused on the book in my hands. I knew she was just trying to get a rise out of me, but I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction. After a moment of silence, I added, "By the way, we're all going to a picnic tomorrow near the waterfalls. Wanna join us?"

Her expression changed instantly, her eyes widening in mock indignation. "You guys are going on a picnic? And to the waterfalls, no less? That's not fair!" she pouted, crossing her arms.

"Tomorrow's a half-day at school, right? So you can just join us," I suggested, knowing that she had a full plate with her student council responsibilities but hoping she might be able to squeeze in some time with us.

"I wish I could," she sighed, her shoulders slumping a bit. "But I have student council work and duties to attend to. I don't think I can make it."

"Oh," I muttered, a little disappointed but not surprised. "Well, I also have some good news and bad news for you."

She groaned, rolling her eyes. "Stop giving me heartbreaking news one by one."

"Sorry... So which news do you want to hear first? The good news or the bad news?"

She hesitated, biting her lip before replying, "Bad news first."

I took a breath, knowing this one would sting a bit. "Well... Albert is going to retire in a few months."

Her reaction was immediate, her eyes going wide with shock. "No way... So our favorite café is going to close?!"

"No, not exactly," I reassured her quickly. "Someone else is going to take over and carry on Albert's legacy. But the café's location is going to change to the city."

"In the city? Where exactly?" she asked, her concern shifting to curiosity.

"Near Astral Shopping Mall," I replied.

She let out a small sigh, clearly trying to process it all. "Ah!, everything is hard process all at once... But I see, he's going to retire, huh? I'm going to miss his pastries."

"Don't worry," I said, trying to reassure her. "We'll still go to his new café, and I even confirmed that he's going to keep the same recipes."

Her mood brightened instantly. She jumped up with a grin. "Yay! Good job, soldier!"

I couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm, playing along. "You're welcome, ma'am," I said, trying to mimic her tone. We both laughed a little, the moment lightening the mood between us. As we continued talking, time seemed to slip away from us.

When I finally glanced at the clock, I realized how late it had gotten. "Oh, look at the time. We really lost track of it."

Iris noticed the time too and nodded, stretching as she got up from the bed. "Yeah, you're right. Time really flew by. I guess I should head home now."

"Leaving already?" I asked, though I knew it was time for her to go.

"Sleeping in your bed was making me more sleepy, so I'm heading straight to my bed and knocking out," she said with a chuckle, gathering her things.

I laughed softly. "Is that so?"

She grabbed her bag, and I followed her to the main door to see her off. Just before stepping outside, she turned to me with a small smile. "Oh, by the way, be ready tomorrow morning because we're going to school together, okay?"

"Okay," I replied, smiling as Iris waved goodbye and disappeared into her apartment. Living next door had its perks, but she sure took advantage of that sometimes. As I closed the door behind me and let out a sigh, I sank into the sofa, enjoying the sudden quiet. "Hm, sure is peaceful now," I muttered to myself. But then I remembered, "Oh yeah, I have to prepare for tomorrow's picnic."

With that thought in mind, I pushed myself off the sofa and headed to my room. I grabbed my trusty backpack, the one I always took on camping trips. This bag had been with me through a lot, and it had its own special place in my life, plus it has good features which makes my trip easy.

After about fifteen minutes, I finished packing. I didn't take much—just the essentials that I knew would be needed for the trip. I placed the packed bag on the table, giving it a satisfied pat. "Yep, this should do," I said, feeling a small sense of accomplishment.

A yawn escaped me, and I felt the weight of the day settling in. "I guess it's about time to get some sleep," I mumbled to myself. I made my rounds, turning off the lights in every room, leaving only the soft glow of the bed lamp in my room.

I threw myself onto the bed, letting the comfort of it envelop me. "Alright, tomorrow's going to be a long day, so I'll need to get a good sleep," I thought, reaching out to turn off the lamp. As darkness filled the room, I murmured to myself, "Better be ready for anything," before sleep quickly overtook me.

-To be contined -