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Chapter 12

Author: CLIFF DAVIES
last update Last Updated: 2025-10-29 20:20:11

The next morning came slowly.

The rain had stopped, but the sky still looked heavy, like it was thinking about starting again. Rand was still asleep on the couch, one arm over his face, his chest rising and falling quietly. For a moment, I just watched him — the man everyone was talking about like he was some fallen god, now curled up on my old couch like he finally found peace. It was insane. I was wondering what peace he is looking for.

I made coffee again. This time I actually drank it.

It tasted a little bitter, but it felt real. Everything did.

When he finally woke up, he looked confused for a second, like he forgot where he was. Then his eyes found me, and he gave that small, tired smile that already felt too familiar.

“Morning,” he said, voice rough.

“Morning.”

He sat up, rubbing his face. “Do you always wake up this early?”

“Only when my life falls apart,” I said, trying to sound funny, but it came out flat.

He chuckled anyway. “Guess we both need new routines.”

We sat in sile
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