MICHAEL

My phone goes off the moment I open my eyes. A maid quickly distracts King as we quickly change into our nightwears and get the sheets changed before letting him sleep in with us but then the serenity I feel ends as my phone keeps ringing followed by Aliana’s phone.

Screen flashing nonstop. One alert after another piles up. Notifications flood in without pause.

Ron.

Levi.

Collins.

Unknown numbers.

Unknown numbers again.

A jolt runs through me as I sit upright in an instant. My pulse races ahead, far quicker than thought can follow.

Fingers tangled in the sheets, Aliana stirs. Her whisper hits my ear - dry, slow...