An Anonymous Image

A knock landed on the door. I didn’t move.

“Isadora?” It was Mariana.

I didn’t say anything.

“Can I come in?”

I sighed, still sitting on the edge of the bed. “Door’s open.”

She walked in slowly, glancing around like she wasn’t sure if she belonged. Her hands were tucked nervously into the pockets of her jacket.

“I heard about what happened downstairs,” she said gently.

“Of course you did. Probably everyone in the house did.”

She closed the door behind her and stepped in further. “I just wanted to check on you. You okay?”

I let out a short, humorless laugh. “Define okay.”

Mariana gave a small smile and walked over. “Can I sit?”

I nodded, and she dropped onto the floor in front of me, legs crossed like a kid.

“I saw Ivan in the hall. He didn’t say much.”

“Yeah,” I muttered. “He never does.”

“You wanna talk about it?”

I stayed silent for a few seconds. Then it all just… spilled out. “I’m just tired,” I said. “So damn tired.”

Mariana looked up at me. “Of what?”

“Of everything. The chaos.