Ava was deep in sleep when a knock rattled her door.

Knock knock.

She stirred, groaning as her eyelids fluttered open. A tiny beam of early morning light peeked through the curtains, casting a soft glow over her room. The knock came again firmer this time.

She frowned and pushed herself up, her limbs sluggish. Still half-asleep, she blinked down at her phone on the nightstand. 7:00 AM.

“Seriously?” she muttered, dragging herself out of bed.

Her bare feet padded softly across the floor as she shuffled to the door, her hair a mess of loose strands and sleep still heavy in her eyes.

She unlocked the door and cracked...