Echo.

The past days had been a whirlwind of chaos for me, with each moment passing by like a blur as I tried to piece myself together amidst the overlapping nonsense.

This morning, as the sun crested the horizon, an urging feeling drew me to the breakfast table. The air held a heavy tension as I approached, the usual chatter muted by unspoken unease. Taking my seat, I realized that everyone was already there – Caesar, Don, and the rest of the pack.

Don had taken my usual spot, the one I've had for as long as I could remember. A pang of discomfort pricked at me, but I pushed...