POV: Ayla

I ask them to meet me in the small sitting room on the second floor. Midday. Sunlight comes through the tall windows and lands on the four chairs I arranged in a loose circle. No bed. No low lights. Just four chairs and a table with nothing on it. I want this to feel like what it is. A conversation between people who have been circling something important for too long. I chose daytime on purpose. I do not want shadows or the quiet of night to make this easier than it should be. I want us all awake and clear-headed when I ask what I need to...