As the lather built up, Antonio massaged it into his skin, cleaning the cuts on his knuckles. The soap stung slightly, but he welcomed the sensation. It reminded him of his physical reality, a grounding contrast to the tumult of his thoughts. He ran his hands over his chest, his abs, feeling the tension slowly ebb away with each stroke.

He then turned his attention to his hair, working the shampoo into a thick lather. The scent was refreshing, a mix of mint and eucalyptus that cleared his mind. He massaged his scalp, letting the shampoo cleanse the sweat and dirt.

As he rinsed it out, he felt a small...