Calming Thoughts

Elena peeled her eyes open slowly, her lashes sticking together from dried tears. The soft light in the room told her it wasn’t morning yet, but it was late.

The first thing she saw when her vision cleared was her brother’s face hovering above hers.

“You’re awake,” Caleb said quietly, his voice sounding both relieved and worried.

She blinked a few times, trying to process where she was. She re