Ava walked underneath the high, looming presence of the stacked planets. Their silhouettes were casting different shades across the streets.

The night sky was a canvas of heavens, a moon that glowed in general paleness, stars that studded the canvas of heaven in odd clumps-and above it all, of course, came the enormous planets. Their still beauty seemed to weigh onto the world beneath, and nights were heavy with an oppressive stillness.

Ava kept her hands in the pockets of her trench coat, boots scuffling softly against the cobblestones as she walked toward the duplex apartment.

She neared the modest two-storey building and reached for the keys. She unlocked the door and the moment she stepped inside, she was met with the sounds of domestic life-familiar and distant, an echo from someone else's world.

Seated at the compact dining table was Clive Hunter, sleeves rolled up, revealing muscular forearms still dusted with dirt from the day's work. A manager for a company supplying raw materials to other firms, his job was demanding but steady.

Sitting opposite him now, his wife Razan Fares had her dark hair braided loosely over her shoulder, wearing a soft house dress.

Ava knew that Razan's quiet patience wasn't just passivity. She had a way of noticing things others missed, catching unspoken truths. That subtle attentiveness always puts Ava on edge, making her feel more uncomfortable.

Eleanor, their daughter, was perched on the stool. Her big brown eyes lit up as she saw Ava in the doorway, but a flicker of unease crossed a second later, as if she was not quite sure how to greet this strange woman who lived upstairs.

"Working late again?" Clive asked with an easy smile, setting his glass down. "That job of yours really keeps you on your toe's huh."

Ava gave a noncommittal shrug. "Something like that."

"You know, if you ever need dinner waiting for you," Razan offered gently as she stood from the table, "I don't mind cooking."

"I already ate," Ava replied, her voice flat but polite. "Thanks, though."

Razan gave her a small smile. "Restaurant food again? You really shouldn't live on takeout."

Ava didn't reply as her sharp eyes flicked briefly toward Eleanor, who was seated on the stool, peeking at Ava through the curtain of her bangs. The little girl always seemed unsure whether to be curious or scared of Ava, though curiosity usually won out in the end.

Eleanor had even snuck upstairs a few times to watch Ava's practice—once, Ava had caught her trying to mimic one of her martial art moves, balancing awkwardly on her hands and feet before toppling over with a quiet yelp. She had scrambled away quickly when Ava noticed, like a guilty animal caught sneaking food.

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"You're too quiet, Ellie," Clive teased, ruffling his daughter's hair. "Aren't you going to say greet to Ava?"

Eleanor wriggled under his hand, her face half-hidden behind a shy grin. "Hi, Ava…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Ava gave her a brief nod, hoping it would be enough to satisfy the child's curiosity without inviting more interaction.

"Do you ever take a day off?" Clive continued, leaning back in his chair. "You're always coming and going at odd hours—it's not good for the soul, you know?"

Ava said nothing, adjusting her coat as if signaling that the conversation was over.

"Alright, alright," Clive chuckled, sensing the limits of her patience. "I'll stop being nosy. But don't be a stranger, alright? We're all neighbors here."

Razan placed a hand on his arm, giving him a playful nudge. "Leave the girl alone, Clive. Not everyone has to tell you their life story."

Ava gave a faint, almost invisible smile at that, appreciating Razan's subtle rescue. In truth, however, it wasn't just Clive's friendly curiosity that unsettled her; it was the very idea of their family dynamic.

They seemed too close, too comfortable with each other, and it was foreign to Ava in a way that constricted her chest. Family dinners, shared stories, and warm conversations- these were things she'd never known and didn't want to know now.

"Well, if you change your mind," Razan added as Ava turned toward the stairs, "we'd love to have you join us sometime."

Ava paused for a moment at the foot of the staircase, glancing back at them. "Thanks," she said softly, though she had no intention of accepting the offer.

With that, she headed upstairs, the faint hum of the family's conversation following her like a distant echo.

***

Her rented room welcomed her. The simplicity of the room welcomed her: a small, concealed bed in one corner of the room, a study table heaped with notes and papers, a worn couch, and a compact bathroom. Outside the window, the night-sky surreal cast a cool hue of light from the moon and the planet into the room, washing the walls.

Ava shrugged off her trench coat and draped it over the back of the couch. She turned on the lights, the gentle white glow filling the space without being harsh on her tired eyes.

She stepped into the bathroom, turning to face the mirror and slowly removing the waist harness, unbuttoning her shirt as she did so. The scar across her collarbone was livid under the poor light: a four-centimeter gash of pale skin. She touched it briefly with her fingertip, her mind elsewhere; then shook her head and undressed fully, getting into the shower.

The warm water cascaded over her, washing off the grime of the day. She let the heat soothe her muscles, calm her mind, and stood under the stream longer than what was necessary. It was these moments-always alone and quiet-when she could allow herself to be at peace.

When she was done, she rinsed herself off and slipped on her silver nightgown. The cool silk stroked her skin as she walked over to the window, resting her hands on the sill as she looked up at the moon bright in the distance.

She stood there in silence for a few moments, the cool night air against her face. Outside, too, the city was quiet; the glow of the planets cast long shadows over the streets.

Her fingers twitched, but she ignored it. She turned away from the window and slipped into bed, tugging the blanket up to her chin. Turning on her side, she let her eyes hold on the giants in the sky above her, their quiet presence a consolation in a way she couldn't explain.

As the room fell back into its peaceful stillness, her eyes grew heavy, and Ava plunged into sleep, her mind already revolving with whatever tomorrow would bring.